What happens when adults lie to children?
" Bad role models: What happens when adults lie to children? "
Researchers call it “parenting by lying” — making verbal statements to children with an intent to deceive and influence influence them (Setoh et al 2024). Studies suggest that the vast majority of parents engage in this behavior at least sometimes. So is it harmful? What happens when adults lie to children? The evidence suggests that kids may become more dishonest with us, and not only that: When we make a practice of telling children lies, kids may be at a higher risk of developing aggressive and antisocial behavior problems.
How do we know? What makes lying so “contagious”? And what can we do to stop it? Let’s take a closer look at the research.
Blatant lying 101: The quick and easy way to increase dishonesty in children
How can we test the effects of adult lies on children’s behavior? Researchers have worked out an experimental method, and it works like this.
Phase one: Tell a lie
A friendly but unfamiliar adult meets a child, and says, “There is a huge bowl of candy in the next room. Want to go get some?”
The child agrees, and follows the adult into the room. But there is no candy. The adult admits it was a lie, explaining, “I just said that because I wanted you to come play with me.”
More information at:
https://parentingscience.com/what-happens-when-adults-lie-to-children/
Tags: Bad role adults lie
