Critically acclaimed film director Shoojit Sircar has asked for a ban on reality TV shows that feature children. He has asked the authorities to ban such shows as they “destroy children emotionally”. The director of films such as Yahaan, Vicky Donor, Madras Cafe, and Piku feels that shows such as Indian Idol Jr, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs etc should be discontinued. Is he right?
The director took to Twitter to air his views: Humble request to authorities to urgently ban all reality shows involving children.it's actually destroying them emotionally & their purity.
Actor Neha Dhupia disagrees. She feels that participating in reality TV shows gives children a platform, enhances confidence and morale. It gives kids direction early in life she feels, though there should never be any compromise vis-à-vis education. Dhupia has been one of the judges on the show Chhote Miyan Dhaakad.
It is certainly true that kids who had no hope of ever achieving stardom now find themselves becoming household names; their families catapulted from anonymity to fame and prosperity. At least some kids who have been in reality TV shows go on to become successful performers later in life. Shreya Ghoshal is one example.
According to one child development expert, involving kids in reality TV is exploitative; that putting kids in the TV spotlight is criminal. It is up to parents to protect the rights of kids; when they make kids participate in these shows, this is an abdication of that responsibility, feels the expert.
Many detractors point out that these shows go against the principle of preventing child labour; because these are in a sense making kids ‘work’. Though Dhupia argues that kids on TV shows are well taken care of, the long hours of shooting and missing school are aspects that have to be taken into account.
Reality TV goes on in the full public glare; every mistake scrutinized and amplified. Success or failure can be very difficult for a child to take. There may be the pressure of parental expectations, plus the pressures that performing and competing on such public platforms place on kids. Altogether this may be too much for young kids! At a time when kids ought to just be kids, this pressure may be scarring for life.
Many experts feel that the content of at least some reality TV shows is unsuitable for kids even to watch. Watching these shows, kids could attach undue importance to superficial things such as beauty, fashion, popularity, acquisition of possessions and so on. And really, what exactly would a child gain by watching Bigg Boss or Emotional Atyachaar? Aren’t there better programs on TV?
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