Worst parents in the world punk kid into thinking he got an Xbox 360

When you were a kid did your parents ever do anything mean to you for their own amusement? Whatever it was, something tells us it wasn't as evil as what Jonathan's (above) family did on Christmas morning, having him unwrap an empty Xbox box with some shirts inside -- while on video, mind you -- and then everyone laughing at him when he got upset and cried over being hoodwinked. For the love of all that is holy in the gadget-loving world, that is so wrong. Despite the fact his family told Jonathan multiple times in the video, "C'mon, you know we can't afford an Xbox!", the kid's shining example of an older brother (who uploaded the video) claims that they actually did get him the console, and that he'd eventually upload the video of the "real" unwrapping. He never did. Right.

Jonathan, you out there? Screw those people, they clearly don't understand what it is to be a kid and to want an awesome gadget so badly you can taste it. We've been there our whole lives. Since, as a publication, we can't just adopt you and raise you as our own, I will personally send you an Xbox 360 and some games -- but only on the condition that you swear to you'll never let your douchebag family play with it. Hit me up at engadget at gmail dotcom, make sure you can identify yourself so I know I've got the right person.

Update: We've been flooded with email from well-meaning geeks and even Microsoft; just about everyone wants to help us hook up Jonathan. We totally appreciate the sentiment, but we've got this covered. We think we've gotten in touch with his family (who let us know he never got an Xbox, and the whole thing really was a prank on the poor kid); once we know for sure we have the right people we'll post again.

[Hawkman @ Feb 29th 2008 6:13PM]

Exactly. This is pretty awesome, actually, so long as he really did get the console. Has everyone here lost their sense of humour because they're remembering their own embarrassing moments? Because a group of geeks bitter about their childhoods would be a terrible cliché...

[ethertoad @ Mar 1st 2008 1:08AM]

@ H8terade

Dude, I don't know what kind of background you come from but that was completely uncalled, idk if u were abused as a child or what, but u have some serious issues. That kid was not just publicly humiliated in front of his family, they posted it on YouTube for the whole world to see. You don't see something wrong with that? Just because you had a shitty childhood doesn't mean that everyone else has to.

[SvenOlsen @ Feb 29th 2008 5:53PM]

GOOOO GOOOO ENGADGET! Right this wrong! Peace, Justice and Toys for Kids!

[rob @ Feb 29th 2008 6:38PM]

this is what's wrong with the world today. seriously, this is news? i'm supposed to feel sorry for this kid? at least he got something. growing up, my parents would often wrap things in used boxes. granted, the choice of the xbox box in this case was of poor taste, it's not unusual to get clothes boxed up in a totally unrelated box. in fact, it was often a fun game to wrap things in multiple boxes to trick the recipient not once, but twice, while opening the gift. it was all in good fun. the point was the thought. seriously.

i volunteer for the big brothers big sisters program to a little 11 yr old boy whose single mom is a minimum wage house keeper. it always makes me sad when i try to get the kid to go to the park with me to shoot some hoops or kick the soccer ball around and all he wants to do is go to best buy and check out some $300+ gadgets, video games, ps3, or whatever. i swear, his mom must spend half her income on keeping the kid "happy" with all the shit he has. i think most middle class families back in 80s' probably spent $100-200 per year max on ALL gifts for a kid, including bday and xmas. now, $200-300 is the minimum spend per item. even adjusted for inflation, this is still quite excessive. kids are so spoiled these days.

And Engadget giving this kid a free xbox really teaches the kid a bad lesson. Why don't you guys put some $ in a trust, so the kid will have some money to go to college in 10 years?

good day all.

-r

[James Cameron @ Feb 29th 2008 6:41PM]

Christmas is over. Move along. For all we know the kid is happy with his family right now and forgotten all about this.

[Nomi @ Feb 29th 2008 6:41PM]

Can people read the video description on youtube?

[Robobagins @ Feb 29th 2008 6:41PM]

Rob it's just a news item. But for some reason you had to turn it around and make it about you.

[RyanTV @ Feb 29th 2008 6:45PM]

That is so incredibly screwed up. I'll buy this kid a 360.

[Beata Yamin @ Feb 29th 2008 6:59PM]

I partialy agree with rob, little kids these days are way too spoiled, but giving the kid an empty box is downright mean.

[phanbouy @ Feb 29th 2008 7:03PM]

@rob

when i was a kid my family and i lived in a shoebox in the middle of the street. top that.

[Brendo @ Feb 29th 2008 7:16PM]

If, they couldn't afford the xbox, then how did they afford the video camera??

[Captain Obvious @ Feb 29th 2008 7:33PM]

@rob

So it's wrong for engadget to give him a $300 console. Fine. But you think the answer is for engadget to instead put $300 into a college trust fund for him? To pay for what, one book? Give the poor kid a break, man!

[Josh @ Feb 29th 2008 8:12PM]

@rob:

Actually, yeah you should feel sorry for him. He wasn't unhappy because he didn't get an XBox. He was unhappy because his family tricked him and then laughed about it.

Of course, it could have all been faked for YouTube.

[Stollie @ Feb 29th 2008 8:51PM]

@ Chihuaha

My friend, you claim not to be racist, but you paint a picture (aka sterotype) of poverty associated with black people. You use words like 'alot blacks are like this' and 'a few whites'. You may not intentionally show dislike towards other ethnic backgrounds, but your language would easily be found offensive to others.

[Austin @ Mar 1st 2008 11:48AM]

Its clear from this video taht the family was being mean.

If they have enough money for a camera, a comptuer to upload the video on to youtube, and a fire wire, why cant they have the money for a 360?

And even if they dont have the money, dont be a bitch and wrap it up in a XBOX 360 box, get the kid all excited, and crush his happyness with a pair of PJs.

I agree people are spoiled, but i think the family was being more bitchy then the poor kid himself.

[CaptCaveman @ Feb 29th 2008 9:01PM]

"end rand... and I'm not a racist!"

Um, yeah, sure you not.
I'll clue you in on something. I know lots of people spanning dozens of different races that do no manage their money good. And while I will sit back and say to myself: self, they should cut back on expenses, and pool their money together to make a better life for themselves. In the long run it's none of my business unless they ask me for advice.
As for the things they buy. Well, fact of life. Most people like nice stuff. And while they may or may not have the means to pay for it, they get it anyway. Why? Because they need something in their life that says they've accomplished something. Yep, material things that they can show to the neighbors, family, and friends that says "we have something". Most would look at this and say "you could have put that money in the bank and saved for a better future for yourself and your kids". But the fact of the matter is that they don't see a brighter future so they live for the moment. Sometimes that moment is video camera. Sometimes it's a Xbox. Sometimes it's 22's (I think those are wheels but not sure).
Anyway, the thing that holds true for any of the people that have this issue is that it isn't something that is common to one race.

As for this family. You don't know them. Just because they said they don't have the money for a Xbox doesn't mean that they're not sitting comfortably in the middle class. I have a good paying job, own a multi-unit building that is filled with tenants. And when the GF's kids start asking for stuff that I know they will have 24 hours worth of interest in once it's bought. I come out with the "we don't have money for that" also. I know other parents that do it also.

Anyway, I came here to ask what the hell was going on with that kids hair. But I felt compelled to reply to the very assuming post.

[Hotrod @ Feb 29th 2008 9:16PM]

Where do you think they got the 360 packaging from? Do you think they found it on the street? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that his mom DID get him a xbox 360, but they were playing a joke on him at first, and then wanted to REALLY surprise him with the real thing. All you people saying that he needs a better family need a better brain.

[daguibear @ Feb 29th 2008 9:58PM]

Hey Rob -

I grew up in a upper middle class environment with all my college tuition paid, new car at age 18, and a lot of luxuries. That doesn't mean I'm a spoiled little brat. Most of the crap I own I bought with my own money.

Just because you lived your life a certain way doesn't mean this world revolves around you. Grow a heart and STFU.

Anyways, I feel really bad for this kid and his family. It's unfortunate.

[Darkroom @ Feb 29th 2008 10:00PM]

sure he got the 360... clearly... there's the box... BUT that family is fucked... make your kid cry for something on christmas != a good christmas... maybe he'll end up hating video games and all other computers/gadgets because he was traumatized by his idiot family... jesus... those clowns need parenting lessons.

[rene siller @ Feb 29th 2008 10:06PM]

Rob, I think you completely missed the moral of the story. It isn't the price of the gift, but the gift itself that he had longed for. These parents purposely set their child up for disappointment & publicly humiliated him in front of the family. Again, it makes no difference in hell if it was an Xbox or just $10 basketball he had been wishing for.

[snitch @ Feb 29th 2008 10:42PM]

i have a 360 with 7 games is not new but if engadget can get it to him is his. This is not new, i don't know what Jonathans case is but i see people adopt kids just to get a paycheck every month all the time

[brokenkeyboard @ Feb 29th 2008 11:51PM]

@thechihuahua

if you make a racist statement, but also insist that you're not actually a racist, it doesn't really mean much.

I also disagree with your entire argument: I think that some rich white people (such as paris hilton) waste more money on pointless crap in a day than a poor person of any race can waste in a decade.

Your argument doesn't really explain why some people are rich and others are poor, it just ridicules people and blames them for their situation.

And finally I have no idea why you should even care that other people are going to buy this kid an Xbox. Its not costing you anything, its not hurting anybody, why do you have to complain about people doing something nice?

[Drew @ Mar 1st 2008 12:03AM]

@ Chihuaha

Anyone who prefaces something they say with "I'm not a racist," usually is. Especially if they go on to say "Black people are stupid when it comes to money, seriously they live in a shitty apartment and can BARLEY pay their rent, but there can has 22's"

Yeah, "there can" not make much sense either. FYI - Use the possessive form of their and barley is a grain. Next time, try not to generalize and assume you know black people just because you flip past BET every once in a while.

[Flashpoint @ Mar 1st 2008 12:09AM]

#1 This looks like it was staged.

#2 That kid's hair looks like COMBED COTTON CANDY.

#3 At least the sweater won't get the RED RINGS of DEATH.

#4 My name is "Jonathan" too and that's cause to cry moreso than a stupid gaming system...

And they got him the CORE...not even the PREMIUM.

[AuronX24 @ Mar 1st 2008 12:18AM]

@rob: STOP WHINING.

[Jon Doe. @ Mar 1st 2008 3:42AM]

I don't feel sorry for the kid because he didn't get a 360. I feel sorry his parents are douchebags who treat their child on the same level a pet owner teases their pet. All I can say is grow the fuck up. Your kid is a responsibility not a means of amusement and if you think this teaches him some sort of lesson you are not only a douchebag but a dumbfuck.

[BrianB @ Mar 1st 2008 5:45AM]

Read the YouTube description. The kid got an Xbox.

[outlaw @ Mar 1st 2008 5:59AM]

Big deal. Yea, it was mean of the parents (or whoever they were) to trick the kid, but if he had laughed it off then no one would really care right now. Instead, the little kid cries and gets some YouTube fame and now everyone wants to play Santa.

And "LOL" at all the companies that want to send him something. Anything for some good PR. Give me a freakin' break.

[snowtires @ Mar 1st 2008 2:23PM]

@ Rob

You bitch about the kid you take care of only wanting expensive electronic devices and yet you made that post on a site dedicated to the newest expensive electronic devices. But, you're right, that kid doesn't have that much money so he shouldn't think about stuff like that, whereas you're Rob! You're allowed to come down on others for doing the exact same things as you, being a Big Brother absolves you of any coincidental hypocrisy!

[suv4x4 @ Mar 1st 2008 3:55PM]

Haha, isn't seeing a crying kid the most hilarious thing in the world? :D :D

Oh, oh.. I know what they should do next. Lock him in the basement and starve him, them tease him with plastic food!

"Come on, Junior, you know we can't afford another kid! We'll leave you here until you die and bury you next to our dog, Bob."

Hiiiilarious :)

[James @ Mar 1st 2008 9:13PM]

I'd rather have PJ's than an Xbox 360 Arcade >.>

I love Pj's :3

[Skullfighter @ Mar 2nd 2008 6:37PM]

Rob was only doing what fanboys do all day long. Makes a racist comment while claiming to not be racist. How is that any different from: "I hate Playstation 3's, but I own one!"

He is merely following the example of 65% of Engadget readers.

[cassoilo @ Mar 3rd 2008 7:10AM]

Agreed...

You can't do this to a child. They take things more seriously than you can imagine... fooling children will make them have a distorted idea of the reality and probably that is in the base of gown up people being so unhappy.
These early years are the best years in a persons life... no one has the right to steel them. All children can be happy no matter the financial status of their parents. Just treat them as you would like to be treated when you were a children, they'll give it back...

[Jim Barnes @ Mar 4th 2008 1:35AM]

C'mon, there's gotta be some member in that family that could steal him one, just like they stole the camera! :)

[Timerider @ Mar 4th 2008 11:57AM]

@rob
Whats wrong with drooling over nice electronics you can't afford? I do it all the time.

$200-$300? Yeah right, maybe the rich families. The price limit my parents spend on me for Christmas is $50-$100 total. And how much was an Atari in the 80's anyway, like $400?

My parents wrap stuff in other boxes all the time. But not like this. This is just evil. He's probably scarred for life now.

[Lucid @ Apr 27th 2008 6:43AM]

That kid looks really healthy, has clean clothes on and has time to dye his hair different colors. He really has nothing to cry about. It appears that this kid is well taken care of and yes, he was pranked really really bad.
At some point growing up most of us were made fun of or possibly pranked as well. Should we think this kid deserves a $300 luxury item just because he cried? What about the other kids that dont even know what an xbox 360 is?
It seems you all are taking this prank a little too personal. They got him, and yeah maybe they didnt give him what was in the box or maybe (probably) they did. The cameraman apparently was trying to elicit a specific response from the kid for effect, and then surprise him with the contents later. If they didnt, who cares? He should be outside playing or using his imagination or chasing his tail or something.
If you look at the end of the video, his family left him abruptly, which seems to be a cold callous response.
Back in the 80's we had these things called "bicycles" and "frisbees" and "balls". Maybe one of you could find one of these rare vintage items and send it to him so he doesn't turn into a zombie-minded couch potato game junkie. =p

[nerosephiroth @ Feb 29th 2008 5:54PM]

I have a family that has done me this way, can I have an XBOX 360 too?

[Paul Meeks @ Feb 29th 2008 6:28PM]

Trolls love delicious, nutritious spam: [e-mail]

[Nomi @ Feb 29th 2008 6:37PM]

From the video description:

"My mom decides to buy my brother an Xbox 360 for christmas. We leave that night and return the next morning to find he has sneaked a look....just as my mom thought he would, this is the result...and yes he did get the game i will try to post the second video"

So, I think he did end up getting one...just in case you guys are sending him one.

[Zach @ Feb 29th 2008 7:02PM]

We actually did the opposite for my friend. For Christmas eight of us decided to pool our money and buy our friend an Xbox360 due to recent circumstance.

We wrapped it in a box for a All-In-One Aquariam and then a huge box for an office chair. Needless to say, the look when he saw we got him the chair was priceless.

[Ryan Block @ Mar 1st 2008 1:14AM]

He didn't get one. Read the post.

[Jonathan-DBOSS @ Mar 1st 2008 10:30AM]

Well, I'm Jonathan! So, where's my xBox? [My family's mean too... XD?]

[iH8Engadget @ Mar 1st 2008 8:07PM]

Man, fuck that kid, and fuck you people too for low ranking me. That shit was funny as hell. That lil bastards face should be on mastercards next "priceless" spoof campaign ad.

Children size clothing from Kmart: $40
Gift wrap: $4
Empty Xbox 360 box: Free (Taken from Walmarts dumpster with inside components used for store display model)
Hi8 cassette for camcorder: $3
Family not getting your Don King looking hairdo clipped before the prank: $0

Look on that little shit getting juked on christmas morning: PRICELESS

There are some things money can't buy, and for everything else there's... "You going out and getting a damn job you little scumbag."

[Bman @ Feb 29th 2008 5:55PM]

What assholes. That boy deserves a 360 AND a wii. What horrible parents

[Blaktornado @ Feb 29th 2008 6:14PM]

And what, exactly, is wrong with the PS3? >.>

[James Cameron @ Feb 29th 2008 6:17PM]

Give me a fucking break. Its not like the kid isn't getting anything for Christmat. Seems to me he's getting lots of unwrap toys for Christmas there. Why don't you people go cry to the real kids who aren't getting anything for Christmas. Freaking spoiled people.

[Jamma @ Feb 29th 2008 6:21PM]

James Cameron:

You're right, but unless you practise what you preach (which I doubt), don't preach

[LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Feb 29th 2008 6:41PM]

It's not like it's cruel and unusual punishment, more like a bad, bad joke. Since all of us here love electronics, though, it makes it that much worse.

[daguibear @ Feb 29th 2008 10:24PM]

I absolutely do not understand how people are calling this situation "spoiled".

Let me describe my situation:

My headphones cost more than my iPod. I'm typing on a 3K computer. My laptop bag was $150. My favorite jacket is $500. My parents cover my college tuition. I have a brand new car.

YET I UNDERSTAND HOW HARD LIFE IS. I still have a fucking heart. Christmas is about making people happy. Being generous. Helping others.

All you idiots complaining about how crappy your childhood was can shut it. This kid is going through exactly what millions of Americans go through. Maybe he's always wanted an Xbox 360. Who the hell are you to say "OMIGOSH SPOILED BRAT HE DOESN'T DESERVE ONE!". There's even some idiot in the comments above who blames this on him being black.

Call me spoiled all you want. I know who I am and I know I'm not spoiled. I know I'm better off than a lot of others and I'm grateful for it. Who the hell are you to judge anyone else? Give this poor kid a Xbox 360. If Microsoft comes through with this - I'll have a higher opinion of them. And that'll mean a lot. I'm an Apple fanboy :D

[Sime @ Feb 29th 2008 10:54PM]

@blaktornado

...was that a joke?