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.

Oh I don't know, when it comes to anti-semitism, some are very happy to stay quiet. More worryingly, there are others who are happy to facilitate it.

Well, since you’ve mentioned their ages, I’m 59, so not a kick in the arse off my sixties. If any offspring of mine blocked one of my channels, I would go absolutely bananas. Despite being part of the older generation, I’m not thick. I would find out pretty quickly why the channel was blocked and I would fix it. Why on earth would you think your parents wouldn’t figure it out just because they’re in their sixties? My DP can run rings around our teenagers when it comes to technology.

Let them live their lives. It’s up to them how they spend their day.

What you're describing sounds very upsetting to experience and also textbook radicalisation. You might get more helpful info looking at resources about how to break through radicalisation mindsets - there's a useful subReddit group as well as several organisations in the UK that focus on this and how to re-engage radicalised people into their relationships again.

Bit like those going on the pro Palestinian matches happy with chants of global the intifada and from the river to the sea

Just before reading this I was on another thread about those people who live really frugally in the hope they can then retire early in their 40s or 50s. But then they have to carry on living pretty frugally to fund their retirement.

I was thinking it sounded like an awful plan - being retired for 30-40 years with limited funds feels like a really insular and closed off life. And I think it would make some people susceptible to a GB news echo chamber, which they’d be much more resilient to if they were still living a fuller life.

For one thing they’d have less time to dwell on the ‘everything’s awful and getting worse’ narrative, and to spiral. And secondly they’d be getting out and about, interacting with a range of people, and realising that - on the whole - most people and places are perfectly fine.

Funny, you’ve defended it this entire time.

Where have I said that's ok, though? I haven't.
That's not ok either! In this context, you're just engaging in a bit of whataboutism.

Oh please do enlighten me!

How is watching and reading a wide range of news and views a problem? Are older people not allowed to form our own opinions, do I need to ask my adult children what I should think? Or is it just daring to exist in my 60s and being retired?
Either way I'm glad I brought my children up to be more tolerant and open-minded than those on here who think only their approved sources and views should be allowed

Good point 👍 or blocking ambulances from getting to hospitals.

Another case of i am better than you and need to control you to make myself feel better and no i dont watch it but would say the same if i did or didn't

But I personally find the idea of thos much control over somone as very obnoxious

Crikey. I think you could ease off the use of the caps lock and maybe read again, with a little more care. And fewer insults.

No, totally unreasonable on your part if you did this.

There's a lovely quote from Audrey Hepburn - to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.

It's hard to be filled with hate and rage is you are tending to roses and seeing the wonders of the natural world.

We're not all children.
I'm nearing 50 and haven't got my head in the sand about the real problem that is radicalisation.
Of all ages.

GB news just had a sensible discussion about "money printing", QE if you like and how the people closest to the source of this, stock holders, bankers, asset holders (property) got rich while large sections of the UK didn"t, they also talked about how the city of London financial industry is a shadow of what it used to be and that there is deprivation in many parts of the SE, it was in relation to AB"s proposed tax grab. They are no more brainwashed than the average dummy who soaks up Sky or bbc all day, in fact those channels in my experience avoid deeper discussion on the money/debt system (the bbc logo may give a clue as to why?)

I’m not trying to control the views. I’m just sick of every single thing becoming a political tirade of anger and hatred

If you are wanting to block their view of something, you are trying to control their views. Nice thread title though. 🪝 🐟

Don't be ridiculous.

Exactly. One of my friends detests both Farage and Trump and often says she can't understand why neither of them have been assassinated yet. Oddly enough she's only taken up these views since her grandson went to Uni to study politics and he's left wing.

This would be the rational and sensible way to approach, if OP is having trouble with a parental relationship.

I do think I’m going to have to stop seeing them as often. It just makes me sad that I’ve lost my parents to such nonsense

You're likely to find that trying to control other people will prompt anger.

" My DP can run rings around our teenagers when it comes to technology."

Exactly, I always laugh at the label "tech savvy generation" - Tap and Swipe Tap and Swipe - Go outside with Big Headphones on - Tap and Swipe Tap and Swipe -Repeat.

I'm not fan of GB News but this is patronising as fuck. Imagine it the other way round? They block you from whatever news sources you trust because they don't like your politics.
I really dislike this authoritarian, totalitarian bent that a lot of people are moving towards. If you disagree with a position that strongly, then counteract with facts and discuss like adults.

So the thread is actually about your relationship with your parents, OP. I understand. That sounds hard.