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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think that the content of radio news bulletins at breakfast time is not suitable for little ears

46 replies

marymermaid · 26/05/2011 09:10

This morning DS and I are at the breakfast table "en famille" when the 8 o'clock radio 2 news bulletin comes on. One of the items is regarding the sexual assault of children by under eighteens. Words like sexual assault of children and child abuse rang out ruining my cosy domestic scene. Questions folowed from DS. Is this right for a family show or indeed at this time of day? This is not the first time I have thought that the news content is clearly not for little ears..........

OP posts:

CowWatcher · 26/05/2011 10:07

Have always had the radio on (usually radio 4) in the background since my DD was tiny. She has mostly tuned out. Taken no notice. If there has been something particuarly difficult, I have turned it off. However, now she's older (7), she occasionally picks up on something or other & asks questions. Its a great way to start to explain some of the more complicated/difficult/sometimes shocking aspects of life. Children need to learn sooner or later that the world is not peopled with angels, or indeed always fair, or nice. I remember many conversations with my parents along similar lines, often initiated by the radio. I find radio gentler as there are no pictures. TV pictures can be so much more shocking & relentless in ther repetition.

Ormirian · 26/05/2011 10:11

I heard that just as DS2 came charging into our room for a cuddle. I was tempted to turn it off but I didn't. If he needed to know he could ask - I was framing a cautious reply in my head - but he ignored it. Facts can't be censored for ever and he will hear about the shit that happens from somewhere - better when we are there to explain than not.

MorticiaAddams · 26/05/2011 10:12

Being sexually assualted isn't suitable for little people either. Unfortunately it has happened and they have to deal with it. It disgusts me when people are far more worried about the sensibilities of their children than the realities of the horrors that others go through.

You don't say how old your ds is but if he's old enough to ask questions then I would suggest a reality check for yourself and some chats with your ds about stranger danger, private places, etc.

Shit happens and it doesn't always happen to somebody else no matter how cosy their domestic situation.

montmartre · 26/05/2011 10:13

For this reason, we do not listen to the news when our (very small) children are around.

There is an off button for a reason.

squeakytoy · 26/05/2011 10:17

I didnt realise the new was classed as family show. It is reality and if children are old enough to understand the words, they are old enough to start learning about the real world. It doesnt have to be too graphic if they are younger, but an awareness of the world around them is no bad thing.

WhereYouLeftIt · 26/05/2011 10:24

What CowWatcher said. Radio, rather than TV, is the ideal medium to raise subjects without memorable potentially-disturbing images exaggerating the topic. It has let me answer questions in an age-appropriate way, led by his questions.

I actually find that reassuring, because now that we've broached most subjects I feel my son is a little safer; aware that there are 'bad' things in the world but also that they are rare and that there is help out there as well. I don't consider this to be desensitising, but rather more in the way of inoculation - a light touch to make him more able to recognise it in future should he come across it. He has information that's not relevant to him now, but can be recalled should it ever need to, and will hopefully bring him to me to talk about it. Much better than to be completely unaware, be traumatised by an event or possibly be persuaded to keep 'our little secret'.

I guess I'm of the 'forewarned is forearmed' school of thought.

But, OP, if you feel that's not right for your children, the radio is on your control. You are the adult, you are aware of what the radio may broadcast, you can switch it off at the appropriate time.

ChairOfTheBored · 26/05/2011 10:30

Hmmm, YANBU in that as a parent it is for you to decide how and when to introduce issues like this to your children. Perhaps you could use the news as an opportunity to start to do this, in a way which is appropriate for your DC temperaments and age?

But, it is a fact of life that dreadful things happen, and if you are suggesting that the news should be censored with a view to avoid offending young ears, then you are being VU.

Laquitar · 26/05/2011 10:32

I too agree with CowWacher, i do the same.

And what Morticia said.

Overreactionoftheweek · 26/05/2011 10:51

I'm a broadcast journalist - when a woman was murdered in Tenerife recently, there was some very graphic audio about her being beheaded (visually descriptive) - we made the decision NOT to use it in our bulletins as it would have been too much without issuing a warning - but of course we did report that she'd been beheaded.

As a lot of people have been saying, the news is the news...you can't ignore tough stories just in case a child is listening.

Switch it off or listen to a music-only station

Vallhala · 26/05/2011 10:54

Oh FGS! Watch CeeBeebies until PFB's "little ears" have become 18 years old instead.

"Little ears"?

Laquitar · 26/05/2011 11:00

Original poster

marymermaid · 26/05/2011 16:37

I do agree that it is absolutely my responsibility to monitor what my children hear on the radio and yes, it is me who should hit the off button if I don't like what I am hearing (cue sprint from toaster!!). I also agree that children shouldn't be shielded from all of life's horror stories, but why not on a family breakfast show, where children are encouraged to listen and join in, could we not have a "newsround" style bulletin for that hour or so. I don't want my children to grow up in a protective bubble but don't want bald statements about research into child sex abuse over the breakfast table. So yes talking books it is, who needs conversation at the table anyway!!

OP posts:

pointydog · 26/05/2011 16:45

Put on a wiggles cd

edam · 26/05/2011 16:56

In what way is the Radio 2 news at 8am a family show? Is it described as suitable for small children? I thought the Radio 2 audience was primarily adult, tbh.

ChairOfTheBored · 26/05/2011 16:59

Really? Radio 2 a family show?

I think you may simply have to switch your breakfast listening to be honest.

I recommend the Today programme. John Humphries could make the apocalypse sound soothing.

tallulahxhunny · 26/05/2011 17:04

i would love to see how some of these cotton wool kids get through life, honestly :shakes head

cat64 · 26/05/2011 17:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Yama · 26/05/2011 17:19

I don't listen to Chris Evans in the morning because he talks to children. It's a feature on his show.

GypsyMoth · 26/05/2011 17:22

i have never heard anything so precious in my life!!!

Hulababy · 26/05/2011 17:24

The news contains the daily news - it will obviosuly include some hard hitting stuff. That is, sadly, life. The news during the day can't just be filled with stories of lovely, fluffy stories. Where should it stop - all news on TV and radio censored til 9pm watershed?

IME of the station you mention - and yes, I listen to radio 2 every day - the news is generally not too graphic although does menion unpleasant things obviously. But the news is also on at the same time every day, and there is an announcement prior to it starting to tell you it is news time. That is your warnng, if you wish to have it, that you could switch off for 5 minutes now.

Hulababy · 26/05/2011 17:25

BTW - even newsround, whichis aimed at children, includes unpleasant stuff.

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