Five years back it was the saas-bahu serials which were ruling the roost, but today that place has been taken up by the reality shows, almost every TV channel has one or more reality show on its prime time. Definitely they are in demand. But the story doesn’t end here. We have a large number of reality shows which are exclusively meant for small children. The question is at such a tender age are such shows really beneficial for the children?

At a time when most of the children enjoy playing with their small friends there are a number of others who are moving in and out of the auditions. Some are elated on being selected while others are depressed on being rejected. To top it all they have to bear the brunt of their parents as well. Earlier it was only getting the highest marks in class, or competing with the fellow students in school that was the aim of most of the children but today things have certainly changed. Apart from their studies they also have to compete with thousands of young other children from around the country to emerge as a winner in any of the reality shows.

But the most exasperating are the shows where only a few years old babies are being brought in front of the camera! We all know how hazardous the camera lights can be on such small babies who have barely opened their eyes. But no one is bothered- neither the producers nor the parents themselves. For parents what could be more good than the fact that their one year old has become a celebrity and has now started earning!

We have a number of singing shows as well as dance shows too which are exclusively meant to “explore the hidden potential of the young budding artistes.” But how far can these shows be justified where there is just one winner,simply meaning that the rest were just not good. Doesn’t this play with the psychology of the child- the fear of rejection at such a tender age can bring a disaster in the life of child.

It’s strange that parents are enjoying this game without thinking of the harmful effects. They have started treating their kids as a mere money making machines. Of course they take pride when everyone remembers them on the road, shopping mall, parties etc as the parent of the child who had won a particular contest! But why to snatch away a child’s natural growth and innocence at such a tender age.

But one thing is for sure today children have become a commercially viable commodity and no one will complain as long as money factor is involved- neither the producers nor the parents.