Reality Shows and Children

The degree to which reality television shows have spread through across broadcast and cable channels leaves little doubt that our children are likely to come across multiple examples of this type of programming --- even those with casual viewing habits. Any cultural phenomenon tends to become widely known, but not all raise the same questions of potential impact that reality shows do. Examining what is already known about reality shows and their influence on children can help parents make informed decisions about how to handle the issue in their own home. What is Reality TV?: Reality television consists of programs which purport to showcase people appearing as themselves in a variety of different contexts. Many reality programs revolve around competitions; others feature celebrities in their everyday lives. There are also shows that center on small groups of otherwise unknown people, probing their interactions with one another. Whatever form they take, reality shows seek to create entertainment from the uncertainty of unscripted moments and events. They also look to present shocking, awkward or otherwise inflammatory situations --- a consistent characteristic of most reality programming. Children as Viewers: Children who view reality programs have been shown to suffer ill effects from the content of such programming. One Australian study revealed that children who watched reality programming were significantly more likely to associate wealth, popularity and beauty as factors that contribute to happiness. It's no surprise that these are values frequently held in high esteem by many participants of reality shows. What's more, certain other reality programs such as "Fear Factor" that feature participants involved in disgusting or dangerous behavior inspired attempts to duplicate these acts by some younger viewers. Children as Participants: Although not all reality programming involves underage participants, some do. These have also been shown to have a negative impact on the children involved. An environment in which kids find themselves surrounded by cameras much of the time has the tendency to make the challenges of growing up that much more difficult. Additionally, when competitive reality shows incorporate children, there is an added pressure and sense of rejection when things don't work out. The Canadian newspaper "The Globe and Mail" reported in 2009 on a program called "The Next Star," which focused on kids under 15, placing some contestants in embarrassing situations and leveling criticism (albeit constructive) at them on national television. The MTV Experience: Much of the programming offered on the MTV family of networks as of 2010 falls into the reality category. These shows are specifically geared toward younger viewers. Due to the target audience, kids are more likely to hear or see these shows referenced during interactions with their peers, increasing the likelihood that they'll watch. Inadvertently, these shows can present young viewers with role models. Given that kids are less capable of distinguishing decidedly undesirable behavior unless it's specifically placed in that context, the offerings from MTV have the potential to set a standard for teens in this area whether they intend to or not. Combating the Influence: Needless to say, focusing on limiting the exposure your kids have to television is a good start to prevent reality TV from "taking over" in your house. Additionally, psychologists Brent Ludwig recommends that you focus upon the fact that reality shows are decidedly not reality. That stipulation goes a long way toward setting boundaries of behavior. Moreover, Ludwig suggests on the Genesis Health System website, it's important that you or your children don't become passive recipients of the shows' messages. He feels it's crucial to identify the values presented by each show and discuss those in depth with your kids to maintain a balanced view of what's important.