ayushi
In the digital age where most of the interaction happens on screen, a gap has been developed between people. The ironical nature of social media, a medium that usually aims to bring people closer has distanced its users from each other. One of the downsides of such behavior is desensitization, in other words, our inability to feel the emotions of other people. But the problem is not just limited to social media. With so many people living different kinds of lives, there is only so much we can learn about and sometimes, we don’t even make an effort. Our deliberate or unconscious ignorance can also result in us judging people from our perspective, and not from their point of view.
But there is one channel that is challenging the limitations of the digital age. Hiho Kids, a channel run by Cut, helps kids have an open discussion with people from different walks of life to help the former understand that there is no way or rule to lead our lives, and no one set method of judge why others make certain decisions.
Defining Hiho, Cut states:
“Every kid – including the one inside each of us – needs imagination and curiosity about the world. Hiho promotes empathy through play.”
Empathy is defined as an individual’s ability to step in other’s shoes and perceive a situation from their perspective, helping the former generate compassion and develop helping behavior towards others. But it does not just have to be about altruism as the term can easily slip in the debate of self-interest. Empathy also means one’s willingness to respect other’s decisions and not forcing their own opinions.
Over a period of time, the team at Cut has invited people with professions, situations, and circumstances that are not usually talked about in the public. These people exist among us but somehow, we never make an attempt to learn about them. The team plays games, asks kids to share their wildest imagination on certain topics, discuss their culture, review things from others’ cultures, and interview invitees to make learning fun. Through the lens of kids and the curiosity that makes them ask all sorts of questions, Hiho Kids tries to introduce a new perspective in the viewers’ life and till now, they are doing an amazing job.
Today, we share our list of favorite episodes from the channel:
Teen pregnancy is not an easy topic for discussion because the first one to face the questions/backlash/comments is the mother. In this video too, we witnessed questioning looks but the question was more about the decision to retain the pregnancy and future approach than about character. The mother in the video was really open about her stance, helping the kids understand her situation and helping viewers understand that just because you don’t agree with someone’s decision, doesn’t make that person wrong. The lines of morality are after all, man-made.
The best part about this video is how opposing views are given equal space for discussion. Some of the kids’ participants share their views on gender but they make a point of not erasing the invitee’s experience. Sexual orientation is not about optional, it’s about one’s right to be who they want to be but considering that the world is still grappling with the concept of gender equality, some people will have a fast pace in learning while others will take their time.
Our best bit from the video was Vanessa and Talbot’s description of the term. Using the concept of “being heard”, they suggested using the imagery of ears to describe one of the goals of feminism – giving equal voice to women, who are usually talked about and not talked to.
Having a younger sibling sounds cute but what happens when you have to take care of them, including all the no-to-so-interesting things? Cut’s team invited kids to change the diaper of their younger sibling while making sure that the latter is not irritated. It’s fun to see how kids react when they take up responsibilities they think elders must bear.
These confession videos are cute to watch but at the same time, they help us realize how innocent kids can be and why we must take care of our words and actions. It’s not just about correcting our behavior for the sake of it but to really reflect on the kind of world we are leaving for our young generation.
Have you watched Hiho Kids? Which video or aspect is your favorite? Share your thoughts via tweet @Fuzzable.
