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Original poster

8 year old thinking TV / film is real

8 replies

Aria2023 · 20/12/2023 17:33

I haven't really thought about it before but today my son was watching a film and the mum and dad in the film kissed. My 8 year old made a comment that basically revealed he thought the mum and dad in the film were married in real life (because they kissed). I suppose it just surprised me as I assumed he'd know it's just actors pretending? Do kids think TV / films are 'real'? I get younger kids might, but assumed by 8, they'd have figured it out? I've explained to him they're just actors and pretending, but he's still confused by the kissing element (which he says is disgusting if they're not really husband and wife 😂). Just curious really lol!

OP posts:
velvetoptions · 20/12/2023 17:37

i doubt he thinks all TV is “real”!!!

It just that in his sweet little brain… you only kiss people if you do actually love or like them

yikesanotherbooboo · 20/12/2023 17:43

I think you slowly gather information to make sense of the world. I eg knew that fiction was fiction but I thought everything was acted in a real life setting.I didn't understand the concept of film sets at all.... it is part of working the brain, learning how things fit together.

Ozgirl75 · 20/12/2023 17:48

I remember when mine were around I reckon maybe 6/7 being amazed that they couldn’t seem to recognise that ALL the characters played by Justin Fletcher were him. Like it was so obvious to me, but they just couldn’t see it.
I quite like it when things that seem obvious to us as adults aren’t obvious to kids, in a kind of sweet way.

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AnImaginaryCat · 20/12/2023 17:50

My youngest was like this at his age. Revealed because he started to recognise actors from other programmes.

I had to explain to him several times about the concept of acting. He's 18 now and gets it now you'll be glad yo know 😀.

Original poster
Aria2023 · 20/12/2023 23:33

Thanks for the replies, so interesting to read! I never gave this much thought until today! I did ask him (after I made my post) if he thinks films like the Grinch are real (he watched it recently) and he said 'of course not!' And then just said again that it was because of the kissing. He said that he just didn't think people would kiss unless they were together in real life. I asked him if he'd kiss someone for lots of money like actors get and he said he'd think about it! 😂

OP posts:
15PiecesOfFlair · 20/12/2023 23:34

Mine is 8 and I have patiently explained many a time that everyone is pretending. The extras in the background. The kids. The policemen. Everyone! He's bright but it seems a hard concept to grasp!

inappropriateraspberry · 21/12/2023 00:00

With my 8 year old I have started to point out actors that she can recognise in different programs/films. Also voice actors in cartoons and films! She does now ask if something is real or not, if she's not sure. It must be very co fusing with so much 'reality' tv and YouTubers etc as well.

Rocknrolla21 · 21/12/2023 00:11

My dd was distraught when she found out that David Bowie had died, because that apparently meant that she couldn’t watch labyrinth anymore. Not only did she think it was real, she thought he popped up on the telly to do a live performance for her everytime she fancied putting the dvd in 😂

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