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 that might be the best way forward before just cutting contact. We’ve got some rules already - no politics at big events because they just cannot ever stay respectful. The second you present any other view they pull out the “you’re a bigot!!! You’re a fascist!!!”, and then if that doesn’t work it’s the “I’ve seen a lot more than you have!!!”

Another good example is I mentioned hanging some England bunting. I’m a football fan and wanted to show some patriotic spirit. I had it with me when I dropped in with some bits I’d picked up for them, at their request.

mum: “oh you can’t put that up, the council have banned it”

me: “no, they haven’t, one council in Bristol asked people to not climb lampposts to hang it as that’s a danger”

dad: “no the banned it because it upsets the immigrants. It was on the news”

and so starts a half hour rant about how we’re losing our “values” to imaginary invaders. It’s sickening.

Because they cannot accept the fact that I have different views to theirs and don’t support Farage. It’s like it’s a personal insult to them - that’s why I asked if they’re my mum, because this is exactly what they do. They act like it’s a personal affront to dare to differ in views.

I'm not arguing with the OP, I'm batting back her replies. Isn't that how forums work?

If your parents said to your face 'You, our daughter, deserve to be shot for your opinions' I can't see why you would want to have anything further to do with them. If it were me, they could whistle for any support as they get older and may begin to need help.

However, if what has actually happened is that they are saying from the comfort of their sofa 'People who support X deserve to be shot' that's a bit different. That sounds like people who have lost all purpose in life and no longer have any perspective shooting their mouths off. Nasty and stupid, but not the same as telling their only child that they want her dead.

A lot of TV is drivel, you have to be picky and record quality stuff to watch without ads IMO, you can"t teach this to people in their 60"s though.

So this IS all about Farage and not your parents. Why didn't you just say that in the first place.

Ofcom should have forced GB News to have been renamed (say GB Views) or become internet only. It is an opinion channel nothing else.

Sad to read that your parents have been caught this way.

Double respect. I’ll give it a try later.

That’s not what I’ve said. I know reading comprehension is hard for your lot, but do try and keep up.

Crikey, another ageist strikes. What can't you teach to people in their 60s? I'm 65. Please do explain exactly what I'm no longer capable of grasping.

My lot?

FFS - I’m 68 next week and ‘thinking’ as the best, making considered choices throughout life.

An early happy birthday x 🎂

I guess all you can do is up the rules and stay consistent with them.If they kick off about that then just calmly repeat the same line to them - it might take a while and it may create more distance in your relationships with them, but if you're considering cutting contact then I guess there's very little to lose at this point.

It might be worth looking online to see if there's any advice for people who are dealing with a family member who has become radicalised, because I'd imagine the advice would be similar regardless of the nature of the issue.

You're not alone in how you feel x

It just breaks my heart. We’ve had such a good relationship until they retired and it’s like I’ve lost them entirely

It might be worth not replying to this one any further, as they seem to think it's some sort of tennis match. Nobody is entitled to a reply - and for what it's worth you have made it clear that this is about your parents 😴

The difference is, that particular poster isn't your parent so I would be less troubled by them if I were you. Some people try to goad other people into saying something insulting etc so they can prove a point...
I agree with the other poster that telling them how it makes you feel (every time they do it) is a good idea. I would also make it he about the fact the political views are brought up all the time, rather than the political views themselves. Rather an "agree to disagree" and if they can't then leave. Eventually they will learn you mean it. It also isn't you cutting them of for having different views. You can make it very clear that you respect their opinions but if they bring it up at unrelated times or keep going on at you, you will remove yourself. They are adults and free to chose what to watch. You are an adult too and also free to choose how you spend your time.

This isn't the same thing but I had a mild disagreement with my mum once because one of her friends (in her seventies) was hit by a falling tree branch and while fortunately ok had to be cut free from under said massive branch by the emergency services. My mum was put out because the emergency services had apparently told her friend she "shouldn't be out in this weather" and this was treating her like a little old lady. The background is that this all happened during a very severe storm when the whole area was under a severe storm warning and people were being warned not to go outside unnecessarily. I pointed this out, and also the fact that anyone who had decided to go for a walk in the woods at that time would have been told the same thing by the emergency services. Falling branches really don't care how old you are. Eventually, when I pointed out she had warned ME to be careful at the time the storm was happening she agreed. But I think parents can be excessively sensitive to being patronised because of age. When it's not about that at all really.

I think it’s fine to have different views but with a relationship that matters to you you’ll need to ask can you ignore and move away from those topics and just let them be different.

Or does it mean stopping contact. It’s unlikely you can argue them out of it.

I have a lovely boss and he leans left and he often says he watches GB News to get the other side.

GB news does not advocate killing Starmer or anyone on the left politically.

If anything I hear left leaning people calling for Trump, Elon and Terfs to be swiped off the face of the earth.

Honestly please don't lose hope - definitely dig out some old stuff to share memories and reminisce and take over a game to play that you used to play as a family. It won't achieve world peace but it's worth seeing if that fun time can bring something out of them. Also look up the parent-adult-child model, as that was really helpful for me in understanding how people take up positions. Sometimes you have to be the one to disrupt that "norm" - but it isn't easy. Hoping you'll get there - and come on England! x

This one? What lovely terminology. Do you know the purpose of AIBU? I could say the same to you - if you don't like my posts, ignore them. It's not that difficult.

The irony was that I was trying not to name and shame you and give you some dignity. You have been baiting the OP for pages and pages now and it's clear that they have a different opinion to you, so you could just...ignore them, as you are suggesting I do with you. I won't be commenting further on anything you say but wanted to let you know that I do absolutely understand AIBU. It's fine to disagree but not fine to go on and on at someone because they don't see things your way. If you're bored, you could always go and watch GB News!

So many on MN obsessed with Nigel Farage, he must be living in their heads somehow

You were doing so well up until your last sentence. I can reply as many times as I like. You don't need to "give me dignity". Thank you anyway.

Right, here's the problem that you don't want to admit..

Your parents have always been like this. Racist, bigoted and intolerant.

They might not have ranted as much, but all GB News has done has given them a mirror to look in it that reflects their views. It articulates them, it legitimises them.

My mum is the same with the Daily Mail and Daily Express which she loves beyond reason. She thinks the columnists are the wisest people she has ever come across..why? because they share her views that she's probably had all her life but never had the 'OK' from someone like Boris Johnson, and these hate rags that people like him write for, to say it out loud until now.