Corrupting young minds?

Earlier, ‘marumagal-maamiyar’ sagas were considered regressive. Now, the focus has shifted and  the spotlight is on children’s reality shows — be it singing, dancing or any other art form.

But, under the guise of cuteness and talent, regional television shows (especially reality series), demonstrate a drastic lack of sensitivity towards children... and audiences are unhappy.

The most recent example is the ban of popular television programme Kuttipattalam aired by Surya TV. According to the Kerala State Commission for Child Rights, the show was manipulating children to say age-inappropriate things. The show’s Tamil version Kutty Chutties is also similar in many aspects.

Adding to the list is a show called Junior Superstars telecast on Zee Tamil.
The major accusation on all these shows is that, with the context of being platforms for children to exhibit their talents, somehow they have  turned into adult entertainment!

Regional channels are being criticised because, for the sake of TRPs and gaining an audience, kids are made to engage in sexist topics and crass discussions.

Though host of reality show Super Singer, Bhavna Balakrishnan wasn’t willing to talk about what’s happening with other TV shows, she was happy to share details about her own. “I find it rewarding to work on a children’s  show. The young singers are very close to me and we are like a big family. There is a thin line between encouraging a kid and putting them under pressure. We should deal with it very sensitively. If there is no happiness or a kid is bullied on the show, then what’s the point? As a TV host, I make sure not to cross the line.”

Vijay Kumar Vijayan, a television programming consultant and creative head of reality show Nalaiya Iyakkunar says, “All the non-fiction shows are adapted from the west. The makers here take the content and match it to the local audience. By selling talent through reality shows, a kid becomes a celebrity. But, where is the innocence of childhood here?”

He adds — “Also, the greed of the parents to make money through their children is unpardonable. As far as the channel heads or the show directors are concerned, they just want to increase the TRP rates among the 20-odd regional channels.”

Vijay  also says that the modern parenting style affects a child’s behaviour — “The I&B ministry should bring in some regulations to children’s reality shows that are aired on the regional channels.”  

RG Venkatesh, a trade analyst, who shares a similar point of view, opines, “Like advertisements have certain guidelines to be adhered to, the government should enforce guidelines for kids’ programmes as well. Today’s children’s shows on Tamil satellite channels are unhealthy and spoil the next generation. Also, in some of them, the kids speak like adults and it feels as though they have been tutored to talk like that prior to the shoot!”

On the other hand, Mala Manyan, a producer and a former COO of a TV channel feels, “No rules would help. The channels should have their own responsibilities towards the society.”

She goes on to say, “I am totally against these so-called children’s reality shows. Just because a kid cannot dance to the expectations of  few jury members of the show, doesn’t mean they have no talents. Kids-based shows are aimed at nothing but getting rating and commercial purposes.”

She also recalled a junior dance reality show on a popular channel which deteriorated and was rejected by audiences and finally suspended.
Echoing the same view of Mala, Divya Sathyaraj says, “TV channels should have their own responsibility to select shows which encourage children to   develop their self confidence. There can be healthy competition, but not to the extent of demotivating kids. In the name of entertainment, children, who are hooked to television should not be provided with unhealthy programmes.”

Abirambika Ravivarman, mother of a six-year-old, says that she never allows her son to watch reality shows — “Not only children, even as a parent  I don’t watch such shows. The whole idea of a recently launched programme is to make fun of people — it can be either your dad or mom, or whoever the anchor choses. It is absurd. We need TV shows like Mister Maker which is an interactive arts and crafts show for younger kids.”

(With inputs from Deepthi Sreenivasan)