12-Year Old Xbox Addict vs 2-Year Old Fisherman…
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
- Found In: Salt Strong
WARNING: This might offend some Xbox addicts…
I recently published a blog that exploded on the social media scene called, “Why America Needs More Tackle Boxes and Less Xboxes” (you can read it here).
I believe the reason it was shared and read so widely was because it is exactly what all of us are thinking inside of our heads, yet too few people are calling a spade a spade… or an addict an addict… even if it is kids we are talking about.
Here is just one of the clever-awesome pictures from last week’s blog post on “Tackle Boxes vs Xboxes”:
I think it says it all pretty well…
Well since I received so many positive email notes and great feedback from that blog, I wanted to do a Part II that shows some of the darker side of what real kids look and behave like when they are “hooked” on technology like Xbox, cell phones, etc.
I have called it, “Xbox addict vs Fisherman”… and I went a bit further by finding two incredibly powerful videos of real kids so you can compare and contrast what Xbox addicts vs fishermen look like in today’s world.
Let me warn you, the first one isn’t pretty. And this is not even close to the worst video that I found of a kid losing it while playing Xbox. In fact, the main reason I used this because it was one of the few that didn’t involve loads of cussing.
PLEASE READ THIS FIRST BEFORE WATCHING
It is incredibly important that I preface what I am about to show you by saying that our goal here at Salt Strong is to build up kids, to build up families, and to get families, friends, and brother & sisters outside together creating experiences that matter.
So this blog post is NOT about tearing this kid down, and it isn’t about making this kid look bad (and we greatly appreciate it if none of you leave disparaging comments about him, as it doesn’t help the situation at all).
What we hope that you actually do after watching the two videos below about the 12-year old Xbox addict and the 2-year old fisherman is this:
- Encourage kids to get outside, to “disconnect” from their Xboxes and Internet devices more often, and to read a book on occasion
- Take your kids fishing! Even if you don’t catch anything, the experience alone of being out on the water, or a beach, or a dock, or a bridge, or a canoe, or a canal is priceless. It is something they will cherish forever just like I do with the fond memories of my parents and grandparents taking me fishing with cane poles and bread as a young kid.
- SHARE this post with your friends
So Which Kid Wins In Your Eyes?
(Watch the two videos below and decide)
“The 12-year old Xbox Addict”
“The 2-year old Fisherman (with his milk bottle)”
Conclusion
America, there are way too many children that have become “Xbox addicts”, and there are too few well-grounded, respectful, and nature-respecting children.
But we can change this.
However, the answer is not to just get your kids outside (because as I mentioned in my previous blog, if you are going to compete with the realistic Xbox, you better have something good besides letting them look at a tree).
To really succeed with kids these days, you need to help create experiences for them. Think about your favorite memories as in your own childhood for a second… I am willing to bet your absolute fondest memories were all around experiences with people that you loved.
No one thinks back upon their fondest life memories and only recalls a new article of clothing, a Nintendo game, or a text message you received.
It’s the experiences that matter!
It is also critical to note that we can’t give up on kids like this “Xbox addict”. They need much more help than the well-grounded kids, so don’t forget that.
Get em outside, get a fishing rod in their hand, and start creating memories and experiences that matter.
Fish ON!
Xbox OFF.
Related Post: “Why America Needs More Tackle Boxes And Less Xboxes” (see it here now)
P.S. – If you think your fishing friends or fishing networks would enjoy seeing this, please Tag them or Share this with them. You Rock! Pa-POW!
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
His old man has a feeeeshen partner for life!
X Box teaches too much Hate , evil and killing and blood VS Fishing teaches a life of Good & honesty and Love
I have a grandson that I bought a toy fishing pole for his birthdayhe’s 3. It picks up those plastic little fish. Mom and dad are not out door people so as soon as they say he can go fishing with grandma and grandpa then he’ll get a taste of what real fun is. This summer we are going to try to tear him away from mommy and daddy to go on a camping and fishing trip
Good stuff Bill! Keep em’ outside as much as possible and Fish On!
Absolutely love this post! Our kids have a Wii but for goodness sake lets go fishing!!
Its always fun to take your kids outside and enjoy an outing as a family. Yet the harsh realization is that everything is going up while pay is not. So unfortunately parents have to work more to stay afloat which makes it hard to enjoy things with your kids. Everybody wants to give their kids what they dint get as kids but sometimes its hard. Parents working well over 40hrs a week, rushing home to make dinner and help with homework is barely in the daily schedule.
Good points JC. Isn’t it ironic that today we have more “time-saving” devices, efficient means of communicating, and technology to help us get things done faster than at any point in history, yet most of us feel like we have little to no time to enjoy life, relax, and spend quality time with our family/kids.
My god, I’m 12, AND I play Xbox, but that first kid was crazy! But I love fishing, it’s my favorite thing to do, and I’d much rather be fishing than sitting inside all day watching a screen!
Glad to hear it Ethan. Fish On and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
I agree 100%, I feel that the nation has lacked and its parenting the new kids today are locked in their house playing video games all day, you don’t see them playing sports as much as they used to, and expecially fishing I feel that a lot more parents should at least teach their children to Fish and maybe even try and give them the option but for some reason they have not been doing that much at least down in my area I fish every weekend! & I don’t see them doing much with their children in the form of sports or nature
Thanks Joe I never get tired of sharing this video with friends I hope some get the message, find a lake,river ,ocean and take the kids fishing they will always cherish that day !
You nailed it right on the head
Thanks Jared! Fish On!
Their is far more life skills needed for fishing then killing the ‘dark lord’ or who ever he was.
Love the fact that someone so young is learning catch and release, I do the same with my Kids and Nephews / Nieces, they love it and every time I tell them we are going fishing they cannot wait, if I tell them one week in advance I’ll get 6 call’s one each day telling me “I cannot wait util Saturday” LOL!! its fun and rewarding, and one of my kids love’s it so much that he does not mind spending 6 hours on a dock under the sun and not catch anything he will always go as eager as the last time..
Great share!! thanks guys