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See parents of social-media fanatics try selfie sticks for the first time

In the Fine Brothers' latest "Parents React" video, the older generation tries out selfie sticks. "Whoever came up with this is an irritating genius," says one.

Bonnie Burton
Journalist Bonnie Burton writes about movies, TV shows, comics, science and robots. She is the author of the books Live or Die: Survival Hacks, Wizarding World: Movie Magic Amazing Artifacts, The Star Wars Craft Book, Girls Against Girls, Draw Star Wars, Planets in Peril and more! E-mail Bonnie.
Bonnie Burton
2 min read
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Parents try selfie sticks for the first time, with varied reactions.

Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Selfie sticks are praised, maligned, overused, banned and sometimes dangerous. But what does the older (relatively speaking) generation feel about this popular tool for selfie fanatics? The Fine Brothers find out in their latest "Parents React" video, posted Thursday.

The "Elders React" video series from Benny and Rafi Fine, better known as the Fine Brothers, presents technology through the eyes of our parents' and grandparents' generation -- with hilarious and rather fascinating results. Previous Fine Brothers videos featured older folks voicing their opinions about Grand Theft Auto V, Snapchat and the virtual-reality headset Oculus Rift.

This time, the Fine Brothers show parents selfie sticks and get some interesting feedback about their kids' social-media activities and why moms and dads should be paying closer attention. Many of the parents interviewed in the video have kids who are preteens and selfie addicts. "My son...can't think of any moment that won't justify a selfie," Malcolm says in the video.

But when asked if they keep up with their kids' activities on social media, the parents all admit that following them online isn't easy.

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"It's not possible," Malcolm says. "I should really be involved more in what they post."

Some parents lurk on their children's social-media pages but don't engage. "I don't comment on what they put up there, but I do like to know who they're talking to," Chad says in the video.

Other parents in the video aren't as lackadaisical about their kids' social-media behavior. "As a parent, if you don't understand social media you need to jump on that like ASAP," Sharon suggests. "It opens up dialog that you didn't even know needed to be open."

But with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Periscope, Vine and the endless dating apps out there, it's overwhelming for some parents to try and keep up with the technology.

"A lot of the literature that we have as teachers or as parents is old," Chad says. "It's outdated in like two to three years. It's really important to be connected to what's going on."