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.

They sound young though OP. You said they were in their 60s. From your description I was expecting someone more like in their 80s who isn't mobile, has a shrinking world and feels more comfortable being tied to the TV. A lot of people from my running group are in their 60s and older. I get that (much older) people can rant and moan at the world, but how do you just change like that politically?

Just more awful ageist sneers. 'A shrinking world and tied to the TV'? Some people in their 80s have medical problems so unfortunately can't do as much as they'd like and do indeed rely on the tv for company and entertainment. What is wrong with that!

'Much older people can rant and moan'? As indeed can younger people as demonstrated by this very thread.

I don't think it's an age thing. Though obviously limited mobility due to old age can make your world smaller.
But I know someone who went a bit mad (not a slur, don't know how else to describe it) during COVID for example. I think it was the fact she was living alone so very isolated and then became obsessed with avoiding breaking lockdown/catching COVID. I'm not a "COVID is a conspiracy type" and followed the lockdown rules. But because she was isolated and trying to get some sense of control she took it much further than needed. Which then exacerbated the issue because she was more isolated and pushed to the brink of she saw someone doing something reckless like not wearing a mask (again, not an anti masker but if I saw another person jogging without a mask I'd try not to get stressed out because there is no point and you can't control people).
This was a young woman. I think isolation is bad for people and whilst lots of retirees jump into activities etc there's also a risk that work gets replaced with... Nothing. It can also happen to much younger people who lose their jobs or are unwell and get sort of stuck.

On the one hand you have a shrinking world, on the other hand you are being told that world is scary and needs to shrink more AND you are being gifted an alternative sense of "identity" to replace the one you've lost. Online rabbit holes also encourage parasocial behaviours because it encourages user engagement and makes money. While I don't think shows such as GBNews are as bad for that I think if you are watching it all day and it's replaced your friendship group it can inculcate a level of defensiveness for the show/presenters that doesn't exist for a news channel you might watch an hour of each day.

No, you can't censor what they watch or listen to.

I have to say - that's early in life to become so angry and reactionary. I get that very old people who feel they have almost no control over their lives and are totally dependent on others sometimes feel deeply frustrated and this manifests as anger and aggression against people near and far.

But in your early 60s, I agree that's unusual.

@Gloriia Never said there was anything wrong with it. My point was, I thought OP's parents were older than they are because I know people in their 60s who are pretty active. There's no ageism. Just an observation. With the best will in the world, you won't be as physically capable at 80 as you are at 60.

No-one was 'let in' or 'turned away'. The amnesty is strictly for those who were already here. A lot of them have been here for many years working and not able to pay taxes. There have been previous amnesties here, it's not an entirely new concept. GBNews was specifically talking about letting people in, which was completely inaccurate. No-one was or is arriving here as a result of the amnesty. Prior residence had to be proved.

It's the tone. 'Shrinking world and tied to the telly' doesn't exactly ooze compassion, tolerance and understanding.

A final surge of applications by 30 June was over 1.2 million. Other EU nations are deeply unhappy with this move and it is causing division and upset in Spain due to the housing crisis and high youth unemployment. However, will these new Spanish citizens stay in Spain or take advantage of FOM, wander through the borders and end up where? Answers on a postcard please!

Plus what message does this send? Another wave will be on it's way. You expect GB News, or any other news channel, to not comment on this after the Merkel Wave of 2015 which Europe as a whole is still reeling from?

Okay fine. But 'shrinking world' is actually a reality as you get older and circumstances change. My world has shrunk. To a large degree, I don't mind because I focus now on what I really want instead of the 'running around everywhere, doing everything, all at once' of younger years. It's happier and more peaceful, even more productive. I just think it's odd that OP's parents are only in their 60s but, in her own words: 'they can spend an entire day in front of the TV getting angrier and angrier'. I don't know many 60 year olds like that.

Sounds like you were watching GBNews at the time. The amnesty gives the right to reside and work legally in Spain. That's it. No rights anywhere else. Furthermore, over 90% of applicants are from South America and chose Spain because they speak the language and have family connections here. They have no interest in moving away from Spain. Most people here realise it won't affect the housing market because the people ARE ALREADY LIVING HERE. No new, extra housing will be required because this doesn't involve bringing extra people into the country. Largely already working here too but unable to contribute by paying taxes due to their illegal status. They will not be Spanish citizens but Spanish residents. They are being offered residency, not citizenship. It's not the same thing but GBNews reported the situation as you have explained it and it simply isn't accurate.

Can you provide evidence of them saying that because all I can find are their articles reporting on it that don’t mention the words ‘let in’.

In fairness, logically you wouldn't since they would by definition be in front of the TV and not out and about in a position for you to know them...

Won’t it be a draw for the next round of amnesty?

My mother was watching and I was in her apartment and those are the words I heard. I have no idea what the date was at the time, it was weeks ago, so I can't help you find it. Plenty of other reports have talked about letting in too. It wasn't just that channel.

🤷‍♀️The last one was in 2012, if I remember correctly. I didn't notice it making any population difference then (although the details were slightly different).

If they actually said that to you why on earth would you want to have anything more to do with them? They're unhinged.

If you believe these people will not be given citizenship, then you are incredibly naive. What message does it send? I get your point about lots from South America, but at least 40% are from elsewhere. It will drive many into Spain for a new life in Europe and put pressure on housing, services, healthcare as they will become Spanish residents and be able to apply for better housing instead of kipping on a relative's floor or a doss house. No wonder the Spanish are up in arms about this.

No wonder other EU countries are up in arms about this. Pre-Brexit thousands of South Americans used their EU passports to settle in the UK. It should be discussed more. Well done GB News for looking into it.

Can you not read?

Sorry for derailing the thread, people.

I think it’s got to peak hyperbole with the shooting stuff so don’t worry.

Looking it up 600k have been granted, won’t they now bring in family connections in the same way?

So this was something you remember hearing but your memory of the whole thing is very vague and other channels have said exactly the same thing?

Hardly a smoking gun for all these ‘outright lies’ that PPs claim are rife in GB News.

So as no one has provided any other proof of the ‘outright lies’ all over GBN given as a reason for trying to stop people from watching the channel, I’m just going to assume that it a false accusation motivated by bigotry.

Good point! Should have thought of that. The ones I know are out doing park runs and Couch to 5K.

@goslowly Blocking it would just be GB News getting what it wants as it will ultimately create division from you if they find out.

Best thing to do is cleverly question them, so show an interest, validate how they might feel, and not what they think/opinions are, but with the right questioning plant some seeds of doubt in their mind and highlight how the channel is making them feel. Throw away comments like 'christ you've been so angry since retiring, what is making you like that, I thought you enjoy retirement' might help. Let them come to their own conclusion about it. It's the only thing that will work.

Just don't engage with them when they bring up politics. If people are like this I usually tell them that having an opinion won't change anything/I don't talk politics because it is divisive. Just shut the conversation down. If they don't stop, just make a polite, but obvious 'escape'. They might take the hint.

My partners folks were like this and they went full circle eventually and have come out the other side.

My memory of it is not remotely vague. The way the situation was reported was factually incorrect. I'm an interpreter. It is my job to help people with things like this so it is a situation I understand pretty well.

As previously posted, the amnesty gives the applicants legal residence in Spain. Nothing to do with their families, no residency rights anywhere other than Spain. As they're already living here it makes zero difference to our housing crisis. As most are already working, they can at least now pay taxes on the money they are already earning.

Yes ik that. Why do you think more won’t see it as a good way to do the same? If I wanted to leave South America, Spain looks like a good bet.