Kids watching Little Britain

[Madison68]

Am I right to stop my 12 year old watching Little Britain? She thinks I'm being mean, and no doubt has watched a few episodes at friends' houses. I love the show myself, but just think that some of the sketches are too muh for her to see.

[spudqueen]

Personally I can't STAND Little Britain, I think it is puerile, juvenile humour with basically the same jokes being retold every episode. BUT my 14 year old and my 11 year old love it and yes, I do let them watch it, but there are other things they are not allowed to watch (South Park for one). I think it is your house, your child and you can set what limits you want.

[Chessman]

I've never seen it, and never wanted to, but i've seen the occasional advert for it, and going by that, its definately not suitable for anyone, let alone children.

[Le Chat]

Although it can be quite shocking at first to us adults, children may not quite get alot of it, although they obviously think it's quite hilarious!! It may prompt some questions regarding gays etc but generally I think there are a lot worse things that children watch on designated kids tv!!

I think it's really funny actually; my favourite being Bubbles in the health club and Lou and Andy!

(For the sake of intellect, I have A levels and a degree!!)

[Gill 05]

Hi Madison, I have this problem with my son too. I too love the show, but feel some things are a bit much for him to see. Of course he disagrees, says he's watched it in a friends house and all his friends are watching it. At the end of the day only you know what's best for your kid.

[phae]

Its difficult to decide these things. Whilst, yes, the programme is unsuitable weigh up the fact that its quite a 'cult' thing and your 12 year old will be under peer pressure. kids will be mimicking and talking about it and she wont be able to join in. Also, alot of the inappropriate stuff will go straight over her head anyway!

IF it was me, i'd suffer watching the damn programme with her and make comments to keep it all in prospective.

[Drusilla]

You've just made me realise these 'telly wars' are just around the corner for me. My elder girl is 9, but I don't think I would object to Little Britain, maybe bite my tongue and save my battles for something like 'Rome'.

[jake-the-peg]

Tough age decision this - given the show pokes quite a lot of fun at sterotypes of homosexuality, cross dressing and the like.

I guess it depends on her - In general I think if they're old enough to understand the humour then they're old enough to watch. (Mine are 11 and 13) Although I too think South Park is a special case because it's humour revolves about being deliberately offensive.

[Madison68]

Thanks for your answers everyone. She's temporarily forgotten about it as I just bought her a puppy, so the world revolves around him at the moment.

She can already quote some of the lines from the show, so I suppose she's seen plenty of it at her friends' houses. I just don't feel comfortable 'encouraging' her to watch it.

[radleydog]

Hi, I have a 12 year old daughter going on 21!!

I put my foot down about most of todays programmes after 9 oclock as I think they are not suitable for 'children' most of the time, she thinks I am being mean but personally I think television has gone to the dogs. I do not even watch such junk as Little Britain. It is pathetic and not funny in the slightest. Why is there so much foul language on the tv today? Do we really need to hear it all of the time as soon as its 9.00pm. I for one do not want to hear it and I am no prude.

[Charlie1982.]

hi Madison :o)

My 6 yr old does not under any circumstances watch it, but she still comes out with lines from it such as yeah but, no but and other lines from it. I dont think it's acceptable for my 6 year old to watch, I think 12 is a little different though and personally, I would let her. Some of the things are slightly over the mark, but not as much as some of the things I'll bet she see's daily on TV.

[Gef]

I remember the first time I saw the Simpsons when my children were young teenagers. I realised that we were not laughing at the same things as they were too young to understand the "adult" jokes. I think the same applies to Little Britain- they see it at their level and you see it at yours.

[Mistopheles]

I was banned from watching soap operas when growing up, and I'd certainly never have been allowed to watch Little Britain. As spudqueen says, it's your house - if you don't want her to see it, then don't let her!

[mycatis]

My son and I are going through hell just now about TV.
He is 9 and has a tv/video in his room, but I wont give him the ariel, so he can watch videos but not TV. He is furious lol but I think parents have to know exactly what their kds are watching! I get wails of "You don't trust me! You think I'll watch dirty things" bless!

[padders]

If you are not comfortable, then don't let her watch it. I don't allow my 11 and 13 year old to watch it. Some parents seem to forget the TV has an off switch.

A friend of mine used to let her 3 year old watch Casualy and then wondered why she had bad dreams. I could never understand why a 3 year old was even up at 8.15 pm let alone be allowed to watch programmes like that

padders

[rachaelersk]

Hi Madison68, I have a simple rule for my child who always wants to watch Little Britain. I watch it when it's on and tape it too, so when i let him watch it with me the next day i can skip through the rude bits and he is very happy with this. As it turns out most of it is watchable and he does not see what i see as some other people have rightly said too. Hope this helps.

[peeriesooky]

You are totally right. Video ratings are there for a reason likewise these programmes are on at specific times to avoid kids watching them. It is the right thing to do as there is nothing wrong with kids enjoying being kids and not being encouraged to grow up to quick.

[LizzieLizard]

I'm 12 years old and I watch Little Britain, and my parents allow me to. Here is living proof that it is ok to let children (12 year olds included!)! It hasn't affected me a all. It's just a television programme. Adults wrongly say (!) that kids will start acting like what they see in television, but that is soooo wrong! Just because I watch Vicky Polard, doesn't mean I'm going to turn it to a chav. If someone watches Daffyd (or how ever you spell it!!) Thomas, doesn't mean they will be gay! So, think about it Madison68, how will it affect your child? The answer: It wont!