Alarming rise of inappropriate content poses risk to childhood innocence

As the battle for TRPs and online fame continues, content becomes increasingly inappropriate for kids who model their behavior based on what they see online.

Hyderabad: In recent years, online platforms have witnessed a significant rise in young influencers, some as young as ten years old. Unfortunately, many of these children engage in content that is far from age-appropriate.

The content, especially reality shows and short videos, often appeals to the masses but it raises several questions as we see children make ill-suited content.

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Expressing deep concern over potential impact on kids, clinical child psychologist Aashlesha Kasula, says, “there is a risk that kids who normalise the use of abusive language or perform inappropriate content may grow up to be more offensive in nature.”

“Parents must play an active role in monitoring what their children are exposed to. Unfortunately, in many cases, it is the parents who manage social media accounts of kids,” says Aashlesha.

Some parents refuse to engage in much-needed sex education, but seem comfortable with their children performing inappropriate videos for fame, she adds.

A content writer from a leading Telugu TV show, who wishes to remain anonymous, says that there is constant pressure to deliver what the audience demands, often at the expense of quality.

“Our only target is to make the audience laugh. When we write genuine comedy, nobody watches, but when we add vulgarity, TRPs skyrocket. As writers, we feel the pressure to meet targets,” he says revealing the complexities of their role.

He acknowledges that while they set limits for themselves, the demand for viewership pushes them to cross boundaries. “No director forces us to write inappropriate content, but we do it because we know it is what the audience wants,” the writer says.

“Directors come to us for edgy skits. They say, ‘Do something new,’ and we often feel compelled to deliver content that may not align with our values.”

Mandeep Sai, an MBA student, reflects on this, saying, “Sometimes watching these programs with family feels uncomfortable. Seeing kids perform acts beyond their age is disturbing”

Parents too are feeling the burden of keeping track of what their children watch online. Pallavi Naidu, a parent, shares her struggle: “I am always checking what my kid is watching. I’m not blaming all shows; some are good, but on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, some content is dangerous. It is disturbing to see children imitate these behaviors.”

As the battle for TRPs and online fame continues, content becomes increasingly inappropriate for kids who model their behavior based on what they see online. While the entertainment industry may be meeting its viewership goals, the long-term effects on young viewers cannot be ignored.