Should you let your kids watch MAFS?

Relationships, trust, sex, intimacy- how young is too young to expose your kids to these themes?

The decision to allow kids to watch certain TV shows, access social media platforms, or engage with digital content seems to be an absolute minefield for parents to navigate.

With pressure from kids to keep up with their social settings mixed with an unwavering need to keep your kids safe, finding the perfect balance is no easy feat.

So, what happens when your kids want to join you and watch MAFS?

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Primetime viewing

Appearing in the primetime slot several nights of the week, if watching TV as a family is something you enjoy doing, it’d be easy to come across the show.

After watching the last few episodes, I wondered how a show that is laced with sexual commentary, drama and swearing was able to take such a family-friendly spot.

Is indulging in the program going to hurt your kids, or is it just a simple mindless reality show?

Rachel Tomlinson, the author of "Teaching Kids to Be Kind," a registered psychologist, and a speaker at national conferences on mental health, spoke exclusively to Kidspot to give her expert opinion.

Developmental capacity and media exposure

Tomlinson emphasises, "It's really important for parents to make decisions about TV viewing…based on their child's developmental capacity to not only make sense of the information they are receiving but also to be then able to manage any feelings that might come up afterwards." 

This highlights the need for parents to be attuned to their children's emotional and cognitive development before allowing them to engage with certain content.

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"It's really important for parents to make decisions about TV viewing…based on their child's developmental capacity," says Tomlinson. Source: Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay Company) for the 9Network.

Fostering conversations on challenging topics

MAFS, while it's commonplace for adult themes and discussions about relationships, trust, sex, and intimacy, can serve as a catalyst for important conversations between parents and their children. 

Tomlinson suggests, "You could end up having some really great conversations about consent, relationships, trust, sex, intimacy, and more." 

This approach allows parents to guide their children's understanding of these complex topics based on their own values and beliefs in a natural way.

For parents considering allowing their children to watch shows like MAFS, Tomlinson recommends watching together. 

This allows parents to respond in real time to any queries or concerns that may arise during the viewing. 

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Will your kids think the show is TMI? Source: Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay Company) for the 9Network.

Understanding children's motivations

If a child expresses interest in watching a show like MAFS, it's crucial for parents to understand their motivations. 

Tomlinson advises asking questions about why they want to watch, what they already know or think about the show, and if there's a less confronting way of keeping up with it. 

She states, "If your child wants to watch and you aren't ready or it doesn't feel like it's appropriate or not something you want them watching, make sure you ask them lots of questions to find out why they want to watch, what they currently know or think about the show." 

This proactive approach allows parents to assess whether the child's interest is driven by social pressure or genuine curiosity.

Originally published as Should you let your kids watch MAFS?