MediaPsyched.com

CBS Television has a child reality show debuting this fall called “Kid Nation”.  Controversy is already brewing about the ethical implications of letting 40 children all between 8 and 15 establish their own society.  25% of the children were under age 10! What type of parent would send away their child to such an unstructured environment? The developmental gap between an 8 year old and a 15 year old is gigantic.

“Who is ultimately responsible here, the network that dangles the $20,000 prize in front of these parents or the parents who have allowed or encouraged their children to move forward with this situation?” asked Matthew Smith, chairman of the Department of Communication at Wittenberg University in Ohio and editor of “Survivor Lessons: Essays on Communication and Reality Television.” “Obviously, the situation wouldn’t exist if CBS didn’t say, ‘Come, but don’t bring your parents.’ But also, the parents, after I’m assuming reading lengthy legal documentation from CBS, still went through with it and said, “Go on ahead. I think little Suzie or Johnny can be fine for a period of 40 days without me.’ Even when I say that aloud my eyebrows start to do funny things.”

Again, it is necessary to look beyond the surface of the concept and into the motives of all involved.  Are the parents exploiting their children for a glimpse of fame?  How does the visit to contrived reality affect the child once back in their anonymous real reality?

Also, it will interesting to see the response of the critics on the social strata promoted in this series.  The children are assigned to “upper class”, “merchants”, “cooks”, and “laborers” based on the results of competitions.  So the show encourages and awards the upper class members and denigrates the laborers. I am surprised on one has jumped on this aspect of the show yet.