A Request From a Dad Regarding Robot Videos

[wilsonmw04]

Greetings,
I love robot videos. My three year old son loves robot videos as well. He likes them so much he has figured out how to watch them via the youtube app on my wife's Ipad. Robots have become a way of bonding with my son as he crawls into my lap to ask to watch robot videos with me.

I thought FRC robot videos were safe havens for my son on the interwebs. Last night, as he was watching a few robot videos right before bed time, I heard a song come up on the Ipad that was completely inappropriate for young ears. I walked over thinking my son had accidentally switched to another topic on youtube, but to my chagrin, there was an FRC robot on the screen running around to this rather interesting music choice.

I know a lot of these videos are made by students and they pick music that is popular at the time. Students, please remember that your youtube videos are representing your team and FIRST as a whole. For the sake of my sanity, choose music that your grandmother wouldn't blush to listen to :-). You will make all the parents of young robot obsessed kids very happy.

Thank you for your consideration.

[The_ShamWOW88]

Very much in agreement! I have a 6 year old daughter who's already obsessed with FRC (probably more so than me now) and loves to watch videos of matches and different robots. There have been a number of release or test videos with music less tasteful than necessary and although I understand it, it may not be the best representation for your team!

Just my thoughts.

[MysterE]

Agreed! There is plenty of great music that is not inappropriate to use.

[EricWilliams]

Considering these videos are extremely useful for sponsor/recruitment presentations and demonstrations, this request should be a no-brainer for students and teams.

[Akash Rastogi]

Curious about which videos everyone is referring to. What may seem appropriate to some, may not seem that way for others.

Not to call out any teams or something, but just so people get your perspective.

[wilsonmw04]

Curious about which videos everyone is referring to. What may seem appropriate to some, may not seem that way for others.

Not to call out any teams or something, but just so people get your perspective.

The team/teams were not listed due to the fact that I didn't want to "call them out." I won't even tell you the song that was used, but it used one of the seven words you can't say on TV.

I'm asking teams to use their common sense when adding music to their videos.
Rule of thumb? Hmm, If it's not the version of the song that is played over the airwaves, don't use it :-).

[DonRotolo]

Rule of thumb? Hmm, If it's not the version of the song that is played over the airwaves, don't use it :-).
Good general rule.

[lpickett]

Very good catch on this issue. Some of the students probably did not think of what they could be portraying to others. They should stop and think of what would be appropriate for their younger brothers and sisters. We do not need to tarnish the good reputation that FIRST has received. We are proud of all our teams.

[Navid Shafa]

Greetings,
I thought FRC robot videos were safe havens for my son on the interwebs.

The interwebs is not a safe place... I can think of multiple Powerhouse teams that have used less than 3-year old appropriate music. I am certainly not going to attempt to dictate what people can or can't post. I don't mean to impose, but perhaps you should pre-screen or take responsibility for the content that your child is viewing.

[wilsonmw04]

The interwebs is not a safe place... I can think of multiple Powerhouse teams that have used less than 3-year old appropriate music. I am certainly not going to attempt to dictate what people can or can't post. I don't mean to impose, but perhaps you should pre-screen or take responsibility for the content that your child is viewing.

I agree entirely about parental responsibility. I am always by his side when he is watching anything on youtube. I do believe that using a bit of common sense when posting content on the web that is targeted towards the general public, and minors in particular, to be reasonable. But if you are comfortable with that content being associated with your team, and/or FIRST in general, that is entirely your prerogative.

[Navid Shafa]

But if you are comfortable with that content being associated with your team, and/or FIRST in general, that is entirely your prerogative.

No, I personally haven't before, nor do I plan to upload any content that would lead to any possible negative association with my team. Muting the videos is always an option. Very often, I turn off the sound anyways, I'm there for the robot. The fancy cinematography and music can be a nice addition, but It's all about the robots :)

[jvriezen]

But if you are comfortable with that content being associated with your team, and/or FIRST in general, that is entirely your prerogative.

I disagree with this statement. FIRST strongly encourages Gracious Professionalism. When a team member posts a video with footage from FIRST events or FIRST Team meetings, they have a responsibility to the organization they are part of (FRIST) (as well as to their sponsors funding the effort) to uphold the values.

I hope this team's adult leadership was notified privately and the video removed or re-mixed with different music.

It is not one person's prerogative to post FIRST related material that doesn't meet FIRSTs standards.

[rsegrest]

Actually this is a little of both. But also consider this (just for a new and hinky twist), we our team finally started posting on YouTube many times our song choices were muted due to copyright restrictions.

Both of you make very good points and the answer lies somewhere in the middle.

[Taylor]

While this is hardly FCC v. Pacifica (http://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/438/726), I do believe that teams have the obligation to promote wholesome content.
While I do empathize with the OP, as a father of young ones myself who do love a good robot video, I chafe at the callous attitude of some of the respondents here. Of course our kids are being monitored when using technology; we only allow them (or let them know of) safe environments. To me, FRC videos would fall in that category, and I'd be shocked if my children were exposed to questionable content while watching release videos. So I don't think the OP is performing poor parenting tactics at all.
Let's take another view of this situation. Let's say a large company, a team sponsor, is really excited about what the team has accomplished and shows a reveal or wrapup video to its stakeholders, as a shining example of the company's outreach efforts. Can you imagine the outrage in this hypothetical situation when the video is shown, with speakers blaring?* Often when discussing GP, the P half gets forgotten.

Of course I realize the company would preview the video for content. But if they decide not to show it at all because of foul lyrics, that's a tragedy in itself.

[MrForbes]

Muting the videos is always an option. Very often, I turn off the sound anyways, I'm there for the robot. The fancy cinematography and music can be a nice addition, but It's all about the robots :)

I almost always mute robot videos....the music never seems to add anything, it just annoys me. But I am getting to be an old geezer.