re: What is with this new trend of scaring kids for views? (an afternoon rant)

I've been scaring my kids since before they were born. One time my wife walked by my air compressor when she was 8 months pregnant, pulling the relief valve almost resulted in premature birth. She laughed later.

I scared my son ONCE as a toddler. Just a generic "boo". But for whatever reason I really go t him. I was not filming it. I felt awful. His response initially was to turtle up and close his eyes. Other than parents that's all a toddler has for defense. Close their eyes.

I felt awful and never did it again. I can't imagine filming that and then putting it online or continuing to film? Or continuing the "joke" and not comforting the child is nuts.