‘I Worry About Normalisation of Vulgar Comedy, Its Impact On Young Minds’

Shubhangi Chaturvedi, a school teacher, wonders how racist, sexist, and even incestuous remarks can be passed off as comedy. Her views:

As a mother of two teenage daughters and a school teacher, I can’t help but feel deeply troubled by what my children—and so many others—are being exposed to on OTT platforms and social media. These platforms, designed to engage and entertain, often end up pushing explicit and inappropriate content, even to those who aren’t looking for it. And what’s worse? Instead of being called out, much of this content is celebrated, making it seem like the norm.

Every day, I see young minds being shaped by what they consume. Stand-up comedians and reality shows, like “India Got Latent,” throw around obscene language and controversial topics as if that’s the only way to make people laugh. Is this really what entertainment has come to? When did talent and intellect take a backseat to shock value and crude humour?

I worry about the effects of this normalization. When obscenity becomes comedy, when inappropriate jokes are brushed off as “just for laughs” our children start believing that these things are acceptable. They hear racist, sexist, and even incestuous remarks being made light of, and they absorb these messages, often without realizing it. Can we afford to let them grow up thinking this is okay?

Then there’s the alarming trend where the most extreme, controversial content brings in the highest views. It’s a race to the bottom—who can be the most shocking, the most outrageous? Instead of creating meaningful content, the focus has shifted to who can be the most offensive.

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The digital space, which could have been a source of education and inspiration, is now overrun with shows that glorify alcohol, adult relationships, and profanity. It makes me wonder: Are OTT platforms truly reflecting today’s India, or are they just cashing in on controversy?

As a teacher, I see the real-life consequences. My students pick up slang from these shows. They imitate behaviours that are far from appropriate. Parents try their best to control what their kids watch, but parental controls only go so far. Kids are smart; they find ways around them. And when their friends are watching the same things, it becomes even harder to shield them from it.

The responsibility can’t fall on parents alone. Content creators and OTT platforms need to step up and take accountability. There need to be stricter regulations and better content standards. Freedom of expression is important, but should it come at the cost of shaping a generation that normalizes vulgarity and disrespect?

It’s time we, as a society, take a hard look at what we’re supporting. Do we want our children to grow up in a world where success is measured by how controversial you can be? Or do we want them to have access to content that educates, inspires, and fosters real creativity? The choice is ours. But if we don’t act now, it’s the next generation that will pay the price.

As told to Deepti Sharma