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Original poster

My teenagers didn’t watch any tv this week at all

53 replies

Trieditall · 27/12/2023 20:28

And they never do!

I’m thinking of how things have changed over the years. There is no family viewing at all in my house, nothing we would sit down and enjoy together. I agreed with dc we would watch Doctor Who on Christmas Day but when it came to it they weren’t interested. They might watch it on their own devices one day but probably not.

I don’t know what the future of the BBC tv licence is but I know my nieces and nephews in their 20s
don't have one as they only game and watch Netflix.

We occasionally go to the cinema to see a new film which we all enjoy but we wouldn’t watch a film on a tv screen together (I do but alone.) I wonder if people will even have a tv in their living rooms in the future.

Anyway just musing and wondering if it’s the same for all families these days especially as the children get older.

OP posts:
SummerSazz · 27/12/2023 20:31

We watched the Barbie movie on NYE (ExH loved that one 🤣🤣) and then the latest Bond movie last night.

On TV the teens watch Ghosts (although now just ended) and House through Time plus a few other random things. So, def not as much as we did as kids (I loved Mash and My So Called Life)

They watch films on their tablet but usually Netflix or similar

SutWytTi · 27/12/2023 20:32

We've gone the other way and started to watch more TV together again. We watch things live like the old days.

We recently cancelled Netflix as got sick of scrolling for ages trying to choose.

HomiesAlone · 27/12/2023 20:33

Agree with you OP.

Floopani · 27/12/2023 20:34

I'm well beyond being a teenager and I only stream. No TV licence for years. I settle down to watch chosen films or series with my teenage DC, but I think this is because it's what we have done for years.

TheSuggestedAmendment · 27/12/2023 20:34

I am feeling pretty upset about this. No one watches to with me.

arethereanyleftatall · 27/12/2023 20:37

It's just too slow compared to phones.

ObliviousCoalmine · 27/12/2023 20:43

I only stream, I don't need a licence and don't watch bbc. If I lived alone I'd have no main tv in the living room, I rarely watch it when I'm by myself. I normally watch things on an iPad which is much more convenient for whichever room in the house I'm in. I do go to the cinema for films I want to see though.

Madameprof · 27/12/2023 20:46

arethereanyleftatall · 27/12/2023 20:37

It's just too slow compared to phones.

Exactly this. My 13 year old will sit and watch 30 second to five minute videos on YouTube for hours. But if we sit down to watch an actual show or film he feels the need to scroll on his phone or play on Nintendo switch at the same time. Even when it's a programme he supposedly likes. It's definitely a worrying attention span deficit.

My 17 year old on the other hand has started watching a lot more tv lately but as a family we never watch anything live, only Netflix iplayer Disney plus etc

Original poster
Trieditall · 27/12/2023 21:05

Yes my dc (older teens) watch YouTube and TikTok constantly. I don’t know what they get from it.

Sometimes I have recommended a programme we can watch together eg Derry Girls and they enjoyed it but watched it on their own!

OP posts:
JaneyGee · 27/12/2023 21:15

I don’t watch the BBC at all. It’s mostly just woke garbage. Frankly, the BBC seems to be morphing into a cultural Marxist propaganda unit. Actually, I hardly watch TV at all. I occasionally watch an old film, other than that I read or listen to music.

mikado1 · 27/12/2023 21:18

Madameprof · 27/12/2023 20:46

Exactly this. My 13 year old will sit and watch 30 second to five minute videos on YouTube for hours. But if we sit down to watch an actual show or film he feels the need to scroll on his phone or play on Nintendo switch at the same time. Even when it's a programme he supposedly likes. It's definitely a worrying attention span deficit.

My 17 year old on the other hand has started watching a lot more tv lately but as a family we never watch anything live, only Netflix iplayer Disney plus etc

Show quote history

I worry about this too wrt attention span. No phone for dc11 yet but I've seen suggested rules about '1 screen only which I think I'll include when phone arrives I'll need to do the same myself

EggCurls · 27/12/2023 21:26

JaneyGee · 27/12/2023 21:15

I don’t watch the BBC at all. It’s mostly just woke garbage. Frankly, the BBC seems to be morphing into a cultural Marxist propaganda unit. Actually, I hardly watch TV at all. I occasionally watch an old film, other than that I read or listen to music.

Edited

What woke bits don't you like about the BBC?

SingingSands · 27/12/2023 21:29

The only thing watched by everyone on our TV is football. We dont sit and watch anything as a family. I think the last time we did that was in lockdown when we watched the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special.

SutWytTi · 27/12/2023 21:32

JaneyGee · 27/12/2023 21:15

I don’t watch the BBC at all. It’s mostly just woke garbage. Frankly, the BBC seems to be morphing into a cultural Marxist propaganda unit. Actually, I hardly watch TV at all. I occasionally watch an old film, other than that I read or listen to music.

Edited

You don't watch the BBC because it is woke? Does this mean you prefer offensive and prejudiced programmes?

the BBC seems to be morphing into a cultural Marxist propaganda unit This is hilarious. The Beeb has almost overdosed on the coronation etc. in 2023.

ssd · 27/12/2023 21:33

I agree op

AceofPentacles · 27/12/2023 21:37

DS watched the king for ten minutes and that was it.

Eekmystro · 27/12/2023 21:38

I watch very little TV and instead watch things on Netflix and Amazon.

CormorantStrikesBack · 27/12/2023 21:39

The only thing we watched together is Saltburn on Amazon.

I watched dr who but Dd didn’t bother. I haven’t watched anything else, neither has Dd. Xmas tv is dire,

Christmasrelatedusername · 27/12/2023 21:40

I don’t have a tv in the living room in the present.

Castellanos · 27/12/2023 21:43

Sadly it's not just you OP, but I'm glad you posted as I have been worried it's just our house!

Makes me feel sad for all the programmes they won't see by chance. Everything is algorithm based. Fond memories (now) of coming home and sitting down with my parents and catching the tail end of whatever documentaries they were watching. I'd never have chosen to watch what they were myself at the age, but subconsciously learnt loads.

Faircastle · 27/12/2023 21:45

Of the young adults in our family, half watch TV shows and films on streaming services; the others just watch YouTube videos.
We did watch Doctor Who together.

NewtonPulsifer · 27/12/2023 21:45

Part of the issue with Christmas tv viewing is it’s all the same old nostalgic stuff that was dated and repeats when I was a kid, like Morcambe and Wise. My teens have no interest in it.
Not much has been made as “must watch”’tv over Christmas that is relevant and interesting, unless you like soaps. My teens just can’t relate to it.

Paperbagsaremine · 27/12/2023 21:46

Both retired and we got rid of our TV licence a few years ago. Just watch streaming stuff / YT. And shamefully I'm on my phone rn while something streams on the TV, so it's not just the teens!

EveryKneeShallBow · 27/12/2023 21:47

Also recently got rid of our tv. We all have phones or tablets and we watch on that. But not often mainstream tv. I think itv and bbc have given up. Nothing much I missed watching over Christmas.

Faircastle · 27/12/2023 21:49

Mine seem to be able to concentrate through a 50 minute lecture, so I don't think it's an attention span thing. Thinking about it, the ones in our family who prefer YouTube will watch documentaries; perhaps they just don't enjoy watching dramas.