"If your friends told you to jump off a bridge would you" is a bad analogy that should stop being used.

Does anyone understand what the point of this is and why it's used as a learning tool for children?

Parents love this question. They think it is so smart.

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Maybe the modern day equivalent should be "If every else took an experimental covid vaccine because the government said covid-19 was real and dangerous and the experimental covid vaccine was safe, would you take the experimental vaccine?"

At least it's the sort of question that invites further discussion. "How reliable is this government's track record?" "What is the liability on the government if any of what it said was a lie?" "How many people has the vaccine been tested on?" "How much does this vaccine cost, anyway?" "Why is the government threatening to cancel the employment of those who refuse to take the vaccine, if covid-19 is so deadly and the vaccine is so safe?" "Why did the government need to hire a whole media propaganda outfit if this medicine works and covid-19 is so deadly?" "Why is the government paying media outlets to stifle debate if the government believes in "the science"?" "Why are people preferring to lose their employment than take a "safe vaccine" that is going to "save their lives"?" "Who is making money in all of this?"

You really had to randomly go there?

You really had to randomly go there?

Maybe the modern day equivalent should be "If every else took an experimental covid vaccine because the government said covid-19 was real and dangerous and the experimental covid vaccine was safe, would you take the experimental vaccine?"

At least it's the sort of question that invites further discussion. "How reliable is this government's track record?" "What is the liability on the government if any of what it said was a lie?" "How many people has the vaccine been tested on?" "How much does this vaccine cost, anyway?" "Why is the government threatening to cancel the employment of those who refuse to take the vaccine, if covid-19 is so deadly and the vaccine is so safe?" "Why did the government need to hire a whole media propaganda outfit if this medicine works and covid-19 is so deadly?" "Why is the government paying media outlets to stifle debate if the government believes in "the science"?" "Why are people preferring to lose their employment than take a "safe vaccine" that is going to "save their lives"?" "Who is making money in all of this?"

I understand why people say it but I think it's an extreme example. I remember back in middle school, we will always have to lineup before we get out of the building. I was first in line and someone asked me to open the door because it was hot. I did, the teacher then scolded me asking why I opened the door. I said I was asked and she asked me "if they asked you to jump off a bridge, would you", I don't remember if I responded or not but when I got older I liked that question less and less. Of course I would not jump off a bridge. That is stupid, jumping off a bridge and opening a door are two different things. I don't see the point of being asked that, it removes context from the current situation, people will obvious not jump of a bridge, unless it was 2 feet tall or it was a life or death situation. Opening a door to let some air in because it is hot is not the same as being asked to jump off a tall bridge. Does anyone understand what the point of this is and why it's used as a learning tool for children?

The purpose was to discourage children from blindly following, and instead think about their choices. Just because someone else is doing something, does that mean it's a good idea?
But the message has become lost and misapplied over the years. The problem is not the metaphor, but rather the lazy way people use it.

Are they REALLY your friends if they told you to jump off a bridge though?

I dont think a true friend would say 'go on, kill yourself'

We have enough suicides already, dont need to keep mentioning ways to die.