Are you letting your kids watch Sunday's presidential debate?

In this Combination of pictures taken on September 26, 2016, Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton face off during the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. less In this Combination of pictures taken on September 26, 2016, Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton face off during the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in ... more Photo: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images Photo: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Are you letting your kids watch Sunday's presidential debate? 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

In the 2016 presidential race, one candidate has stooped to a new low of freely spewing grotesque insults toward women, disabled people, veterans, Mexicans and Muslims. GOP nominee Donald Trump has made countless pointed remarks that are mean-spirited, hate-filled, shocking, sexist, and rude.

And on Friday, video footage surfaced of him bragging about using his celebrity to seduce married women and boasting of grabbing beautiful women "by the p---y."

Word on the street is that Trump is planning to get nasty in Sunday night's showdown with Hillary Clinton and zero in on former President Bill Clinton's extra-marital affairs.

All of this locker room–style discourse and playground-like bullying leads parents to wonder whether the second debate is appropriate for their kids. They fear Trump's behavior sets a bad example and teaches them them prejudice and bias. They worry their children are metabolizing his hate-filled messages and insults toward women.

On Facebook and Twitter, at dinner parties, and through email, parents are asking their peers, "Should I let my kids watch the debate?"

Honest question: will tonight's debate be appropriate for our kids to watch? — Fareed Mosavat (@far33d) October 9, 2016

We posed this question to our audience and found that many parents with younger children are keeping the TV off.

"I have no interest in letting my 10-year-old daughter watch how women are treated by sexist bullies," writes Deidre Duncan on the SFGATE Facebook page. "Additionally he is hysterical most of the time- not a good example in any way."

S.F. mom Sarah Donelson shared in an email that her 8-year-old is frightened by Trump's behavior. "She hides in her room at her dad's when he watches," Donelson writes. "Your kids might be different, [but] for her she is watching someone being abusive and cruel. If she were 12, I would with significant parental involvement. All kids are different though - I'm sure you know what is best for yours."

But other families, especially those with teenagers, will be watching the debate together and see it as a teaching moment.

"I think it's important for her to hear what comes out of Trump's mouth instead of just thinking he is horrible and disgusting because that is what she hears people say," Annie Sullivan shared on Facebook. "Also, to be a part of history being made, watching a woman on her way to becoming the first female president of the USA!"

S.F. mom Anne Crawford shared in an email that for her daughter watching the debate is about supporting Clinton."My 16-year old wouldn't miss it for the world. She feels so powerless that she's old enough to understand the issues but not old enough to vote," Crawford wrote. "She actually made a donation to Hillary Clinton's campaign."

She added: "I'm pretty sure I wouldn't let my kids watch if they were under middle school age."

One reader points out it's unfortunate this question is even being posed, "It's a sad day in America when a parent has to worry about their child watching the PRESIDENTAL DEBATE because we're worried about what ONE of them is going to say, how dirty is he going to get?" writes Vic Bathe on the SFGATE Facebook page. "It's a disgrace!"