Recently there was an article in a Chennai evening daily Newstoday about how TV encourages child labour. Written by Shanti rajendran it says that "The television industry is transforming itself into a employer for child labourers, under the guise of conducting reality shows that involve teenagers and young children" The provocation for the article was an episode of the selection process for Kana kanum kalangal being aired in Vijay Tv. In one of this episode, the host asked a teenager to propose to a girl, to test his acting prowess. The teenager could not do it well and the host who happens to be a famous TV anchor did it for him.[Vijay adhiraj]. This according to the author Quote: evoked a sense of disgust among TV viewers, as it was found highly incompatible for the age of the participant.
Moreover, viewers were shocked to see kids who attended this selections dressed in garish and revealing outfits. While a quiz competition or a music contest may be right for their age, mimicking actors and imitating actresses, in the way of dressing is highly irritating and repulsive to watch.
It makes one mindful of the predicament these youngsters are pushed into and the keen negative competition that is being imposed vehemently on them. unquote.
She also writes about super singer because of which self confidence of many are shattered. See her article here.
Children In TV- World Over
Children serials in Television are as old as Television. Expression and practice of Art is not labour. And it is ageless. Every human right from their birth has the right to be a part of it. So I do not see any of this under the category of Child Labour. Any serial depicting life of children obviously have to enrol them as actors. Any commercial targeting children can have them as actors. But all this should be controlled and monitored to avoid any excesses or pitfalls. A child as an actor has many more psychological and physical pressures than a normal child. Also it is a case of over exposure to the good and bad of both real and reel life which if not properly monitored can lead the child to go astray. Also many children tend to compromise on their education mainly because of the lure of money and fame and the requirement of long working hours to attain them.
Some people also criticize the parents of child actors for allowing their children to work, believing that more “normal” activities should be the staple during the childhood years.Others observe that competition is present in all areas of a child’s life—from sports to student newspaper to orchestra and band—and believe that the work ethic instilled, or the talent developed accrues to the child’s benefit.The child actor may experience unique and negative pressures when working under tight production schedules. Large projects which depend for their success on the ability of the child to deliver an effective performance add to the pressure. Also many children find transition to non acting when they grow up difficult. Many child actors fail to become actors when big. Also some go the path of self destruction.
Recently there was a reality show in USA called I Know My Kids A Star, where Ten child/parent teams from all across the country competed to win a chance to meet casting agents, Hollywood insiders, receive national television exposure, and $50,000 in prize money. The winner was a girl-mother team. The program however also nakedly revealed the parents pressure on children and how they tend to see their failed success in their children.
Many countries have strict laws governing child acting.New York state labor officials fined organizers of "American Idols Live Tour '07" for violating child labor laws by letting underage teens perform without permits. Employers who use child performers are required to register with the state so they can be monitored as to whether they're complying with child labor, education and workers' compensation regulations. The Organizers were fined 5000 Dollars for failing to get the proper permits to hire and feature certain Teen actors.
In some countries child actors in the performing arts (television, film or stage) are prohibited from doing certain things. In these countries, a child actor may not:
1. Risk his or her physical well-being (no dangerous stunts)
2. Be exposed to morally compromising situations
3. Be nude or partially nude
4. Engage in overt sexual acts
5. Be victims of any kind
Compulsory education laws mandate that the education of child actor not be disrupted while the child is working. Whether a child actor is enrolled in public school, private school, or home school, the child does schoolwork under the supervision of a set teacher while on the set.
Finally, the hours a child actor may work are limited. Generally, stricter time limits are imposed for younger actors. A very young infant might be allowed "under the lights" only a few minutes a day.
The Scenario Here
The Children of India like else where have many options in the box. Popular children specific channels like Jetix, Pogo, Disney, Cartoon network etc rule the roost here. And now we have regional kids channel which are giving the world channels a run for their money. The classic example is our own Chutti Tv. Kalaignar Tv is also about to start a kids channel. Normaly most of the channels are packed with cartoons and action thrillers. Some quizzing, game shows and reality bites are also there. And some of the serials hook the children, like Suite life of Zack & Cody , Hannah Montana, That's so Raven, High school Musicals,Power Rangers etc.
Children are still a minority among the Television viewers any where. But that they require their own stuff was well identified by the channels here. Vijay TV the most innovative in Tamil Channels introduced Kana kanum Kalangal a serial widely admired and watched by the children of Tamilnadu. They also have many talent shows like Super Singer etc aiming to entice child and teen viewers. The Success of KKK is mainly because it almost depicts a real life scenario of our neighbourhood school here. They added some emotion, drama and fun to make it more interesting to watch. Today many adults also watch this regularly. It should be seen as a positive step. The actors in KKK have become houldhold names and some have won accolades in other competitions too. There isn't more of any kid love than those depicted in the foriegn serials and nor are there any uncomfortable or avoidable scenes. Neither is there any cultural erosion. So why the big fuss about Child Labor etc?
Children of today are more matured and do not get easily influenzed. So to imagine that a depiction of a Love proposal is going to influenze them in their way of such proposals or to act as shown are half truths. This is not something which does not happen in our schools. Neither are they going to increase because it is on TV. Nor will they decrease if they aren't in TV.
However some kind of rules or guidelines as they exist in other countries should be here too to avoid any discomforts among Children and Parents here. More and more of children channels and programs are on the anvil. So the need for such guidelines. The ambiguity now prevailing and the total freedom in the content of such programs indeed give space for exploitation and misuse. Children are our future. It is hence imperative to have proper system in the most powerful media of today.
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