News

Analysis: Media - How TV exploits childhood

The rights of children put before television cameras are being defended by a coalition of childcare professionals, writes Gayle Goshorn.

Here's an idea for a TV spot that programme makers have brainstormed on. Let's get two toddlers who have just learned to walk racing each other. They could be dressed up in mini sports gear. The race would last until one of them fell over!

Here's some ideas for a whole series. Let's have a clinical psychologist or a nanny go into the homes of parents at their wits' end with misbehaving children, to trouble-shoot what they've been doing wrong and tell them how to fix it. How about lending babies to teenage couples to test how they'd cope as parents? Or watching parents try out different care techniques popular in the past on their own babies? Better still, a whole set of children could be observed growing up on camera, with an eminent scientist making pronouncements on their development and their families' lifestyles ... that one could run and run.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Unlimited access to news and opinion

  • Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here