To have challenged teenagers at the park?

[KiteSirfer]

I was with my two dc aged 6 and 9 at the playground in the park this evening.

Three young teenage boys were kicking a football. I asked them to stop, or to move into the park rather than nearly hitting young children in the playground. They became quite mouthy, refusing to move. So when their ball almost hit my kids for the second time, I picked it up and put it in the bin, to prevent them keep nearly hitting young kids with it.

All three of them then started arguing with me, calling me crazy, swearing, claiming it was child abuse I'd put their ball in the bin. Of course they easily retrieved the ball from the bin, then kept arguing with me. I was quite calm, kept explaining why their behaviour was dangerous and why Id asked them to stop. They also filmed me without my permission but I didn't say anything 'wrong'. Eventually they calmed down and we parted company.

Aibu to have challenged them? I'm a bit concerned they filmed me in discussion and claimed 'child abuse' for putting their ball in the bin. I should probably have walked away. The level of disrespect they had for adults and other children was quite sad and astonishing, I don't know how teachers deal with this level of disrespect, their language and behaviour was awful.

It seems like a big over reaction to me to be honest.

Oh, it's good that other people challenge selfish kids. I do it if the older ones get a bit too full on in one of the parks by us. They tried to be a bit lippy at first, but they know the drill now if im there with our DS.

There is just no need for it, but they are just pushing boundaries and being kids, and yes you will probably end up on ticktok somewhere. That would annoy me as i dont.put myself on SM, never mind some kid doing it 😤

Where else can teenagers go these days? There’s absolutely nothing

Well this is certainly a melodramatic over reaction.

I’m talking about the filming. Fancy telling me to fuck off 😂😂 May I suggest you waft some sage around your room

I’m actually very embarrassed for you that you thought this was me saying playing football in the park was a Gen Z attribute when the post literally mentioned TikTok. Did you not read the post properly or something?

Love it, well done! Lol at the child abuse comment 🙄🤣

Im sorry are you trying to insult me with that? 🤣 I’m going to cry into my pillow over being called a boomer 😂

You obviously didn’t read the post properly because I very obviously said that posting videos to TikTok moaning about Karen’s is a Gen Z’er trait. Not locking a ball about in the park.

What on Earth made you think from my post that I believed kicking a ball about is a Gen Z’er thing?

I understood the OP as saying there was a whole park there but they were playing inside the small kids bit of it

Also, normal, considerate teenagers never do this ime and if their ball even comes anywhere near you they'll apologise. Little shits.

They filmed you to intimidate you.

Gen Z''er, Boomer , all insults. Just different generations.

Gerrout my park!

No not all of us use it as an insult, just a descriptor. YOU used it as an insult towards me. And also got so upset about something you actually misunderstood spectacularly yourself that you told me to ‘fuck off’. Maybe take a look at who is throwing the insults here

It would be much easier if you just said you misunderstood/misread my post rather than the faux outrage and the ‘waaaah you insulted me’ nonsense.

They don’t need permission to film but if they were doing so in an aggressive or intimidating way it could be considered harassment. Like what happened with Chris Whitty.

I think everyone should have a right to stand up to bad behaviour but it’s really difficult to do it nowadays because of how many people carry knives.

I have similar problems at the park near me but instead of kids it’s adults letting dogs run around off the lead. It’s really intimidating to try and play with a toddler under those conditions.

Child abuse 🤣🤣🤣 sheltered little scrots - good for you op. I HATE the new thing of filming every minor altercation I know it isn’t illegal but it’s just sooo entitled and brattish. I absolutely encourage my kids to speak up for themselves and they don’t need to respect adults who disrespect them but they absolutely have to act in a respectable & considerate way about in society - think the waters have been muddied with some children!!

Maybe get some anger management and learn a bit of self reflection?

Seriously you are disproportionately angry.

I wouldn’t expect someone of any age to kick a ball at someone’s head. 🤷‍♀️ I wouldn’t expect anyone of any age to accept that behaviour either.

They weren’t though. OP was just worried they would hit her kids.

Agree. Next time film back (hopefully there won't be a next time).

IME if you appeal to their better nature and say something like ' it's not fair on the younger ones, they can get hurt by your ball - any chance you move over to the park' - they tend to take more notice than when you just challenge them ( effect of modern-day parenting, I suppose!)

Just search karen nicks football or karen throws ball in the bin on tiktok and you will probably find it