Kirwans’ Mallika Nair discusses the need to tighten child entertainment laws

CHILDREN, in my view, are little entertainers at home or on stage.

While the former is entirely personal to the family, the latter attracts media attention and immense publicity.

Recent reality shows, such as Britain’s Got Talent, have sparked debates on whether the regulations that govern child performance in similar entertainment shows should be stricter.

The current Entertainment Regulations, I believe, have not been reviewed since 1968 and therein lies part of the problem.

Another controversial issue is whether the additional backstage and counselling support for these children, as professed by television producers, is adequate in competitions with widespread publicity.

Although one would expect the parents or guardians to be savvy enough to know what to expect in such demanding programmes, it is not easy to manage a child’s expectation under such circumstances.

Entertainment shows, though they may attract a maximum public audience, have to be made stricter in my view by increasing the age limit of participants and by making the Broadcasting Code more stringent.

Every child in such programmes is important, not just the winner.