Comedians creating children that aren't 'bovvered'

[AB Asks]

A poll conducted by The Association of Teachers and Lecturers has concluded that aggressive and confrontational behaviour displayed by children is directly linked to TV viewing. Children are taking the loutish behaviour they see displayed in comedy shows such as Little Britain and The Catherine Tate Show into the classroom, and repeating well-known phrases such as 'bovvered' and 'computer says no'.

What do you think? Are parents to blame for allowing children to watch shows after the 9pm watershed? Or should these kinds of shows be toned down?

[brachiopod]

Is this really anything new?

When I was at school, it was all sticking your V's up and saying things in a 'Wick' (Rik)-from-the-Young-Ones voice.

Before that, it was all "No, no, not the comfy chair!"

I don't the kids think imitating comedy shows is anything surprising.



"Right Vivian, eat the telly!"

"Oh my god, I've killed a hippy!!"

"I've got so many essays to write it's a wonder my arms don't drop off."

[repeat ad nauseam to fade...]

[littleoldme]

New poll reveals kids copy the telly. What a shocker. I remember racing round the school playground pretending to be a Thunderbirds pilot when I was five - t'ain't nuttin' new.

The watershed is there for a reason. The trouble is so many parents let children have a TV in their rooms, they can't keep an eye on what they're watching.

[Rusks]

I think that shows like Catherine Tate are sending up people who speak like 'Lauren' does ('Am I bovvered'), but people who do speak like it think she is glorifying them. It's interesting that she says she doesn't put swearing in those scenes because she thinks children will copy - but surely the logical conclusion is that if children are watching those scenes, they'll be watching the rest of the show and so will be exposed to swearing anyway!!

[LeMarchand]

Parents should be keeping an eye on what their kids watch. I personally find 8 year old girls doing that "alriiiiight" thing both disturbing and discomforting.