NSPCC wants reality ban for young kids

Bringing Up Baby

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An NSPCC advisor has called for a UK-wide ban on broadcasters' use of kids under the age of three in reality TV shows.

At a Royal Television Society's debate last night (12 November) the charity's parenting advisor Eileen Hayes said "We need to call a halt to getting babies and toddlers on TV and protect these vulnerable members of society."

She called for the use of more scientific research in programmes rather than anecdotal evidence and warned against the use of unqualified maternity nurses, such as Claire Verity who featured in Silver River Productions controversial C4 series Bringing up Baby.

In contrast Family and Parenting Institute chief executive Mary MacLeod argued that rather than a blanket ban on the use of babies and toddlers in television, regulation needs to be tightened up and extended. She said children under the age of five "should not be under lights for more than 30 minutes".

She added that she was opposed to "the use of distressed children in the name of public service broadcasting" but recognised that there are "some good and some bad shows" and commended Outline Productions on The House of Tiny Tearaways.

Outline joint managing director Laura Mansfield, who executive produced the show, argued that the genre aimed to de-stigmatise parenting problems. She said "Just because they are reality TV programmes doesn't mean that they are not ethical and well thought out."

Silver River Productions joint head of features and factual Tanya Shaw said strict controls were in place and medical professionals had been actively involved in the development of Bringing up Baby.

And that despite the negative publicity all the parents involved in the show felt their experiences were positive.

Both Mansfield and Shaw emphasised that there were rigorous support packages available for participants after the shows are completed.

The debate ended with all parties agreeing that a forum needs to be set up to discuss issues in this relatively new television programming genre and establish a code on how best to proceed.

Next month Ofcom will publish additional new guidelines on working with young children, although these will not be mandatory.