Think of the Children

The “Think of the Children” cliché refers to a common rhetorical tactic (which is especially popular in politics) that centers an issue around the impact it could theoretically have on children.

Early recorded uses of this tactic were aimed at child labor laws, including those in the early 20th century United States that allowed young children to enter the workforce. But the phrase has since become farcical, often used manipulatively or satirically, at least in its most direct incarnation.

That said, many politicians still use “think of the children”-style arguments, especially when they need to bypass their constituents’ reasoning faculties and tap directly into their emotions.

Those who favor invasive surveillance regimes might garner enthusiasm for these policies by asking potential supporters to think of how predators might manipulate and abuse their children if someone isn’t always watching all of their communications and online activities.

Those who want to ban all pornography or alcohol (for their own moral or religious reasons) might likewise appeal to the child-oriented concerns of their audience, reminding them that if these products are available, children might very well be exposed to them, not just adults.

While most ethicists and independent commentators have criticized the use of this tactic, especially in politics, because of how it flattens an otherwise logical conversation into (purely theoretical) knee-jerk worries about children maybe, possibly, somehow being hurt in some way, many debaters continue to use it because of its capacity to sway those who are on the fence with a deep-seated, seeming rationale for supporting their side, and the bigger-picture potential to spark a moral panic that could bring more, and more varied, support to their cause, over time.

Often, appeals to “think of the children” are made in support of causes that are actually harmful to children, and this framing often disempowers and infantilizes children rather than protecting them.

These appeals are also almost always made by people and groups that have less evidence and logic on their side, so those who deploy this rhetorical tactic are usually making a fallacious Hail Mary play, hoping to score some points despite knowing they’re in a weaker position in terms of logic and evidence.