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Original poster

8 yr old thinking we are living in a computer programme

105 replies

GoodReazons · 13/03/2022 21:04

would be grateful for advice please! My 8 yr old is really worried we are living in a computer simulation. He has basically described the matrix or something. It is causing him quite a lot of distress "what if this is all not real / what if it's a computer programme". Serious replies only please... I know it sounds kinda funny but he is genuinely really upset and scared about it 😔 he is a deep little thinker but I am finding it hard to explain how he isn't. It is hard to prove a negative!! I am especially worried as schizophrenia runs in his dad's side of the family and when his aunt got sick she basically thought the same. So that is making it even harder for me to form coherent sentences as I am panicking a bit. Thanks xx

OP posts:
OnceuponaRainbow18 · 13/03/2022 21:06

I would call his GP tomo and seek professional help.

Iuwiwo · 13/03/2022 21:06

How long has this been going on? When did it start? How’s he at school? Any new changes going on? I will honestly take him to the doctor.

EverNapping · 13/03/2022 21:07

Another vote for a visit to the GP

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8 year olds Families
reallyworriedjobhunter · 13/03/2022 21:08

Why does he think this? Has he seen something on YouTube or has someone told him this?

JackieCollinshasnoauthority · 13/03/2022 21:08

That's the kind of thing my son would worry about. He has ASD. How long has he been concerned about this? How does it affect his behaviour?

Is there a kid friendly version of Descartes?

stairway · 13/03/2022 21:08

That’s an unusual thing for an 8 year old to be worried about, Has he been watching something on tv to give him these ideas?

Bytrgrewd · 13/03/2022 21:10

I remember thinking this sort of thing as a kid - what if we’re all just in someone’s dream etc.

I didn’t get scared or upset about it though.

MrsTerryPratchett · 13/03/2022 21:11

Early onset of schizophrenia (under 13) is extremely rare so put that out of your mind. Yes to the GP if it's causing distress.

But first thing I'd do is look at what he's been reading/watching/playing. DD tends to get these ideas from TV and books (and games). The real world is an antidote. Forest/beach/mountains. Sensory things.

NoLunch · 13/03/2022 21:14

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry. I can see how that must be very worrying, especially given family history. I've not got exact experience of this, but i do have a "doubter" of a child. "How can I know you're my real mummy and you didn't kidnap me" etc etc. I try to approach it lightheartedly, with gentle reassurance and not getting drawn into too much conversation about it (for example, in your case, perhaps "it does feel a bit like that sometimes, doesn't it :) but I can promise you were not in a computer programme. I've been alive long enough to know that it's all real, so you've no need to worry". Acknowledge the fear, don't dismiss it as "being silly", but don't get drawn into proving anything - play the "I'm your parent, and you can trust me" card. I find it works mostly).

And yes, I'd second PP suggestion of speaking to GP soon to get professional support in case it's needed. Better to be on it sooner, rather than wishing later that you weren't so far down the waiting lists :)

Good luck, and courage to you - you're not alone.

CPL593H · 13/03/2022 21:15

Has he seen recent news? I'd be keeping a very close eye on exposure to screens of any sort at the moment, TV included.

Justkeeppedaling · 13/03/2022 21:17

I used to wonder if we were all someone's play dolls in a kind of big dolls' house. Perhaps I would have thought we are a computer game if I'd been a child now.

OutsideVoice · 13/03/2022 21:17

This is quite a common conspiracy theory type thing.
If he goes on YouTube he could easily have stumbled across this, or one of his friends brought it up.

Retrievemysanity · 13/03/2022 21:18

I used to wonder this when I was little. It didn’t distress me though because I thought ‘what does it matter if we are?’ If he’s a deep thinker and you’re able to discuss things with him, maybe you could talk about how it’s more likely that we’re not in some giant computer game but even if we are, does it really matter. Eventually I stopped thinking about it and grew out of it. My DD said similar things to me about what if we are like someone’s playmobil and they’re moving us around! I don’t think it’s that uncommon, just a sign of an intelligent and active imagination.

OverByYer · 13/03/2022 21:20

I dont think its unusual, like a PP said at that age I thought we all lived in a giant dollhouse/ playmate and God moved us all around at will.

FelicityBeedle · 13/03/2022 21:20

I’m sure there’s some science thing that proves it’s impossible we are living in a simulation, would that help?

PrinceParry · 13/03/2022 21:20

Hi op, probably worth for your peace of mind to take him to the gp but 2 of my dcs went through something similar at the same. Lasted for months in my eldest. He'd get very concerned that our lives were a dream and I wasn't real. He'd ask me very seriously if I was definitely here and his mum! It passed for both dcs and they've not said anything of the sort for a good few years!

AndSoFinally · 13/03/2022 21:21

It's actually a very famous philosophical debate. Have a look at the theory, that gives a lot of counter arguments if you think he'll respond to those. The bottom line though is basically how would we we know if we were?!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braininnavat

SwissCheeseRentedChildren · 13/03/2022 21:25

It’s only as weird as believing there’s a god.

Our reality in this world is enough of a shitshow, so what’s the difference if it’s a computer simulation and/or controlled by a god, or something else?

Someone at the top is having a laugh either way.

amidsummernightsdream · 13/03/2022 21:27

This is a well know philosophical ‘thought experiment’
Im guessing he has read about it somewhere and it playing on his mind.
I wouldnt worry there is anything wrong with him but i can see how it would distress an 8 year old and he will need support to process what he’s read. I think talking things through with you will help

Thewindwhispers · 13/03/2022 21:30

Age eight is a classic age for irrational fears, have a google. DS was terrified he’d die in his sleep, dn became obsessed with the thought that burglars might break in. They grow out of it but its awful until they do.

Imanidiotiknow · 13/03/2022 21:33

Yeah it's most likely something he's been told about or seen on line. It's quite a common theory with some scientists saying the likelihood is 50:50

www.google.com/amp/s/www.scientificamerican.com/article/confirmed-we-live-in-a-simulation/%3famp=true

Ionlydomassiveones · 13/03/2022 21:35

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

Abouttimemum · 13/03/2022 21:39

Oh I still have this sort of conversation with my husband now, theoretical chats about potential origins. It no weirder than thinking there’s a God.

We just watched the latest Matrix instalment - which has just been recently released - so perhaps he’s see something about that online? I think the key thing here is that it’s upsetting him - what is it about it that worries him? I used to think all sorts about the world when I was young but was never upset.

I’d agree with pp about taking him to the doctor.

Geppili · 13/03/2022 21:39

Does he go on yourube?

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