Reply to 17yo son into Steven Crowder, etc

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think people are way downplaying the impact of social media here. It’s been demonstrated that we are all being fed more and more extreme content based on algorithms, and that social media (and conventional media) is getting more polarized. Saying that he’s just “researching” or “debating” or “has different views” does not at all capture what’s going on, especially for kids/teens.

What I’d recommend is setting aside the individual arguments and personalities and talk instead about social media and polarization. Watch the Social Dilemma together. Encourage him to consume edited media on both sides of the aisle - I actually like Reason Magazine although I never fully agree with it. Subscribe to the NYTimes and WSJ.

Then, have conversations about values, not “debates.” Explain why you care about sexism and racism. Talk about actual statistics and facts.

[b]I think all of us raising white boys in this environment are going to face this sooner or later. The fact is a lot of the rhetoric around race/gender is well meaning but can result in white boys feeling attacked/alienated, which obviously leads them straight to the Shapiro types. [/b][/quote]

I think this is spot on. If the kid thinks they are being attacked, and it isn't hard to cherry pick examples of politicians/talking heads/academics sounding like the are anti white male, then the response from a teenager isn't going to introspection, it's going to be to fight back or to view those they perceive to be attacking them as the enemy. I would just drop the political discussions at home, restrict social media and find another outlet where your kid can find a group to identify with based on something other than being a fellow white male- sports/hobbies/theater/instrument.... anything really[/quote]

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