Children at Reality shows

Presented by: Chauhan khushbu

Reality shows for children. Meaning of reality show. About Losers and Winners. Advantages. Disadvantages. Effects. Experts opinion. Guidelines. Conclusion.

INDEX

What are reality shows all about?

Judges with crashed careers, Contestant feuds with lewd

language, Wild card entries with candid

controversies, Suspense with bamboozling

background score And anchors with less words, more

glamour. All these are indispensable

ingredients necessary to conjure a ‘realistic’ reality show

Reality shows for children :-

The small screen has been flooded with reality shows like Dance India Dance, Boogie woogie and so on…… Reality shows work more for audiences than for the participants. The judges of these shows become even more popular than the contestants.

Reality shows are just a means of entertainment. Thus conflict, drama, sleaze and humor are added as per the TRP’s.The irony of ‘Reality shows’ is that even though they are known as ‘Reality based shows most of them are ‘Unreal’ but still children and their parents are attracted to this fake world of reality shows.The reality shows wherein the contestants are children, has opened up doors to many upcoming artists.  These shows for children test their ability in singing, dancing, and playing any musical instrument.

Continued…

o But what about the losers?

Does anyone think about them?  The disappointments, tears, frustration, embarrassment of having lost, anger, all these have a terrible toll on their emotions. They are too young to handle such strong emotions and over that if their parents and other family members show their disappointment, these children will feel miserable.  They will feel they have let down their parents and will start feeling as failures.  Their self-esteem and self-confidence will take a beating and they will not want to attempt another competition.  They will avoid contests of any kind.

Now the other side of this show Winners :-

  The initial euphoria will be there.  The fifteen minute fame.  They are also too young to handle all that adulation and that will carry them away.  They will soon get addicted to this kind of adulation, they will be asked for autographs where ever they go, they will be taken on as ambassadors of different products, they will either get a chance to sing in a movie or album or they will get modeling assignments.

Advantages of Children being at reality shows

Advantages of Children being at reality

shows :-Teenagers get good enjoyment out of it.

A major boost in self confidence of children.

Giving chance to everyone (public forum)

Something new ,not same old prepared program (non-monotonous)

A Platform to show their talent.

Continued…Opportunity to participate.Exposure to unknown talents.Winners are given chance to promote

various brands.Achieving fame etc..It is like- Entertainment for some, money for

others

Disadvantages of Children being at reality shows

DISADVANTAGES OF CHILDREN BEING AT REALITY SHOWS

Develops wrong notion. Exploitation of children. Parents are treating their kids as

money making machines and making them bonded labour and robbing their childhood.

Deviates youth mentality to quick money and fame.

It has become merely a means of business.

Effects of reality TV on children :-

Reality shows can have a more immediate and lasting impact on children than traditional programming if they interpret behaviors in the shows as appropriate ways to act in real-life situations.when competitive reality shows incorporate children, there is an added pressure and sense of rejection when things don't work out.

CASES OF ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE CONTESTANTS :-

16-year-old Shinjini Sengupta suffered a paralytic attack and her parents are blaming the harsh treatment she got at a dance competition (reality show), but the TV show organizers blame pressure from parents.

Another case was that of 17 year old Carina Stephenson who killed herself after participating in a reality series called The Colony. The series involved spending four hard months in the Australian bush, along with other contestants.

EXPERTS OPINION :-According to psychologists and other experts reality shows for children are not a healthy concept. These children are under a lot of stress.According to experts, children who participate in reality shows achieve sudden fame and WHEN the fame suddenly fades away ,they find it difficult to cope.

Content of programmes involving children

Defining age related norms for the participation of children in TV/Reality shows

Child Protection and Supervision

Ensuring the physical, mental and emotional conditions and safety of children

GUIDELINES

Terms and Conditions for Parental/Guardian Consent .

Ensuring education of child participants.

Payment for children.

Setting up of regulatory and monitoring mechanisms.

"What are we making our kids do??

"Give kids their childhood back! How desperate are we and how desperate are those who put them there. We stoop so low in search of TRPs that we don’t think about our kids. What`s with the nails, the blindfolds,the fire! Don’t spoil there childhood.”

Conclusion