To block GBNews from my parent’s TV?

[goslowly]

My parents retired 4 years ago. They’re both in their 60s, healthy, happy, comfortable financially.

Since they’ve retired they have been sucked in by every single thing they say on there. They can spend an entire day sat in front of the TV getting angrier and angrier. It’s to the point that if Starmer comes on the TV, they shout about how he should be killed.

it’s genuinely starting to concern me. You can’t have a rational conversation with them about anything. I miss my parents, how they used to be before all the conspiracy and anger took over.

I’m genuinely tempted to block it from their tv using parental controls and just pretending it’s some weird fault in their telly. They’d not be able to fix it.

I think if GBNews were actually that bad Ofcom would shut them down.

If you block this then they will probably move on to something else.

The problem is your parents. If what you say is true it sounds like they are spiraling out of control, and if they start acting this way in public it could lead to some real issues for them.

Maybe have a word with their doctor and see what they think, or maybe ask Age Concern to see whether they have any advice on the matter. I'm sure it is something that they have dealt with before.

Maybe the OP needs to get her own mental wellbeing checked out.

except they're grown adults not children, jesus

Not always true.

I certainly don't agree with right wing propaganda. I live in an incredibly white area

A friend of mine who lives in a very multicultural town has many 'GB news' views. Her reason - she feels alienated from where she grew up.

Ah wld ya stop.
This is the BS we need to cut out.

Bloody hell some people.

The radicalisation of boomers is a real documented thing.

You'd block your kids from seeing content that harms their mental health and leads them to being full of hate. I see no reason why the same shouldn't apply to your parents.

Except of course you can't.

But I sympathise hugely. It's a massive problem.

Just stop with the ridiculous stereotypes.

So OP should agree with them that the boats crossing the Channel should be sunk so that everyone on them drowns?

Her parents sound deeply unpleasant and extremely racist and pandering to their views would be ridiculous.

How sad they have a comfortable life and are spending their days furious and wishing death on people. They could be enjoying their retirement. They sound vile

It's not only "boomers" who can be radicalised, I'm afraid.

Can you see though that a society that only allows one viewpoint is a repressed society, that eventually fail because no unpopular idea or viewpoint is allowed to be aired.

Trans ideology was one of the topics where dissent was banned from social media (except mumsnet because it was a UK based platform and allowed it). It was only through alternative media that people heard the discussion.
During Covid if you said that it was made in a lab you were banned, although that is now accepted and climate change denial got you banned.
The more channels there are for alternative viewpoints to be heard the better even if you don’t agree with them, otherwise if half the debate can’t be heard terrible ideas get rolled out.

The radicalisation of boomers is a real documented thing

Could you link to that documentation, please?

You're completely missing the point, sorry.
I don't think the OP was saying that GB News or guests are saying anything of the sort - it's just that this sort of constant dehumanising and "othering" rhetoric that we see lately in the media/online is radicalising some people. Whether it be through the likes of GB News or the Daily Mail or whatever, or constantly scrolling on phones and getting more and more of the same content pushed at them/ stuck in an echo chamber due to algorithms.
It's a real problem and not enough's being done about it. Not sure what 'can' be done about it.

A lot of it is just posturing - not that it isn't concerning when it comes from a full-grown adult rather than a teenager like Jay from The Inbetweeners.

The whole thing about 'sinking the boats' sounds like taking tough action and standing for no nonsense, but if they mentally processed what they were actually calling for - that people arriving illegally on the shore should be instantly put to death - you would hope that they may at least recoil a little.

Like with the 'bring back national service' trope - they haven't remotely thought about any practicalities of it, nor the huge costs to the country, nor indeed how well the military would run if they had a load of troublemakers thrown in to serve alongside their highly-trained committed professional workforce.

Whatever people's age, an awful lot of reactionary, easily-led people will prefer to come out with some kneejerk proclamation, however absurd, which makes them (in their mind) sound wise and important - rather than honestly say "I know there are some concerning issues which need to be addressed, but I don't know the whole picture and I don't think there can be a simple, instant solution".

As someone in her her 60s and recently retired, my thoughts are "How dare you?"

You are rude and patronising if you think yours is the only acceptable viewpoint and you are controlling if you think it acceptable to monitor or try to manipulate their access to TV.
I watch GB News in the morning (started as I've always liked Eamonn Holmes) and enjoy it because it doesn't have the "agenda" of the more mainstream channels so should my viewing be controlled by my children?

Unlike your family, I then switch over to other news sources at other points in the day to hear a range of views but we are all entitled to hold our own opinions and your parents might find you every bit as objectionable as you find them.
In our 60s we are hardly elderly, infirm and feeble-minded and it seems the intolerant views in your family are not confined to your parents. Maybe you need to be more broadminded!

That's a terrifying thought. I've noticed that younger people/uni kids are more ok with taking "control for the greater good", so does that mean a future where all older people (so my age, older millennial) are locked up for their opinions? Shudder.

I don’t have an issue with them having different opinions. We had a wonderful relationship before this anger and vitriol. They were Tory voters, I’m a Lib Dem member and we got on fine. It’s only since that it’s become like this and been an issue.

What stereotypes? Boomers? The baby boom generation? Would you see Gen Z, Millennial and Gen X as a stereotype, as opposed to what they are - the established nomenclature for generations that have a shared set of experiences?

It's well documented:
https://gnet-research.org/2025/03/31/when-grandpa-turns-extremist-digital-immigrants-radicalisation-and-the-german-reich-citizens-movement/

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/12/fears-for-uk-boomer-radicalisation-on-facebook-after-meta-drops-factcheckers

Please show me where I’ve said I think they’re infirm and feeble minded? Oh you can’t.

@goslowly
What we are getting on here is quite a broad range of views - but with a significant overlap with those with personal experience of what you are describing, which I respect. It would be good to broaden the conversation, likewise with your parents. For example, I was shocked to find out that Clarkson is very, anti-Brexit. So a lot of his complaints are relating to that - he is no way a Farage man. People are more complex and nuanced and that is to be celebrated.

same here. I constantly tell my parents if they got off the daily mail they'd find they would be much happier.

.

You’re just as bad I’m afraid. Censorship of views you don’t agree with is classic far left groupthink ideology. But you will never accept it!

how about planning some nice days out, invite them to do something nice that’s off topic rather than restricting their viewing. Do something positive to take their mind off the news.

'You'd block your kids from seeing content that harms their mental health and leads them to being full of hate. I see no reason why the same shouldn't apply to your parents'

You don't see the difference between safeguarding kids and allowing adults to watch whichever tv channel they choose?!