How do I explain the difference between entertainment and real life behaviour? 

Parenting Perspective 

Children often struggle to distinguish between entertainment and reality, especially when it comes to the exaggerated actions or humour they see on screen. A cartoon character may get a laugh for being rude, or a movie hero may solve problems with violence. When children copy these behaviours, they are often unable to see why it is not acceptable in the real world. Your role is to help them understand that while entertainment is staged for amusement, real life requires respect, responsibility, and self-control. 

Why the Lines Blur for Children 

Understanding why children find it difficult to make this distinction can help you explain it with patience. 

• Young minds naturally struggle to separate fiction from reality. 

• On-screen characters are often admired or rewarded for bad behaviour, which can make it seem normal. 

• Repeated exposure to certain actions in media makes them feel familiar and worthy of imitation. 

Use Clear Comparisons 

Explain that what happens in entertainment is pretend, like a game, whereas real life has genuine consequences. 

‘In cartoons, characters can hit each other and get up without being hurt, but in real life, that would cause real pain. What is shown for fun on screen is not safe for us to copy at home.’ 

Point Out the Role of Actors 

Remind your child that the people they see on screen are actors playing a part, not showing how they truly live. 

‘The person you saw being rude in that show is just acting. When the cameras are off, they do not behave like that. Real life has different rules than a movie set.’ 

This simple explanation helps to reduce the power of unhealthy imitation. 

Reinforce Real-Life Standards 

Make it clear that your family’s values and rules are the standard for your home, not what is shown on television or online. 

‘Even if the character on the show talks back to their parents, in our family, we have a rule of speaking respectfully to one another.’ 

This helps your child separate screen-based amusement from your family’s core values. 

Encourage Critical Thinking 

When you are watching something together, pause and ask gentle, guiding questions to help them think more deeply. 

• ‘What do you think would happen if someone did that in real life?’ 

• ‘Do you think people would be happy if we spoke to them that way?’ 

This trains your child to look beyond the surface of what they are watching and to develop their own moral reasoning. By consistently making these distinctions, you help your child enjoy entertainment without letting it corrupt their manners. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam encourages believers to live with dignity and responsibility, reminding us that all our actions have consequences. While entertainment can be a source of lighthearted relief, our real lives must be governed by the principles of our faith and good character. 

We are accountable for what we choose to follow and imitate. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Israa (17), Verse 36: 

‘ And do not pursue (to meddle in matters) with which you have no knowledge; indeed, your hearing (everything you heard), your sight (everything you observed), your conscience (everything you thought), in fact, all of these (your faculties) shall be called for questioning (on the Day of Judgment).‘ 

This verse is a powerful reminder that we should not blindly follow what we see and hear in entertainment. We will be held accountable for how we choose to act in our own lives. 

A wise person does not repeat or act upon everything they encounter. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Introduction, 5, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘It is enough of a lie for a person to narrate everything he hears.’ 

While this hadith is about spreading information, its principle applies beautifully here: a person of good judgement filters what they take in and does not blindly repeat or imitate everything. By guiding your child to distinguish between entertainment and reality, you are helping them develop wisdom. They will learn that true character is shaped not by what amuses us, but by how we choose to live every day.