I HAVE three children under 12, all of whom watched Astro Ceria.

In particular, they loved the show called Tom Tom Bak which I feel is a children’s version of a particular thought-challenged entertainment reality show (without the overbearing drama, elimination, know-all judges and the millions they make from SMS votes).

Although I can appreciate shows such as these as trying to teach children to be vocal (sometimes crossing over to being loudmouthed), it can be disturbing to see children as young as six or eight writhing around like snakes, moving their hands up and down their bodies clad in tight-fitting clothes to the tune of Pussycat Doll’s Buttons.

I’m quite sure this would be fodder to paedophiles out there as much as misdirected parents are in the audience clapping and cheering their daughter on.

There are other ways children at that age can display their talents. They don’t have to resort to dancing provocatively in front of a TV audience.

Don’t get me wrong. I do like some of our local content for children. They may not be as educational, but at the very least do not rob a child of their childhood by making them dress like adults in skimpy clothes.

Similar shows have led me to the following questions: Are these the kind of qualities we want to nurture in the generation to come?

Do we really want a generation obsessed with the entertainment industry and the superficiality it represents? Do we really want a generation whose main aim in life is to make it as artistes?

A strong viewership base doesn’t necessarily mean a programme is first-rate for society. It’s somewhat appalling to see what some people in the entertainment/media industry would stoop to just to make a fast buck or cheap publicity without thinking about the impact their actions would have.

Parents too have a responsibility in selecting quality entertainment for their children and the manner in which they behave will shape the future of our society.

I hope people in the entertainment industry (especially one particular talkshow host who is famed for shows of similar genre) would give a second thought to the nature of entertainment they churn out.

There are a lot of impressionable minds out there. It is with great hope that they use their broadcasting licence with a little more civic-minded responsibility.

And yes, I have blocked out that channel.

DISTURBED PARENT,

Kuala Lumpur.

Source: The Star – March 3, 2008