ON social media and television, we get exposed to children who have brilliant skills and a knack to entertain far beyond their age-groups.
Children like DJ Arch Junior is a well known DJ at the shocking age of six! I could not even read at that age, let alone mix tunes on some decks like Black Coffee – someone who Arch Junior has already shared a stage with. It’s quite frightening how much media attention this child is exposed to.
What keeps me up at night, though, is how a child’s development can be affected by constantly being filmed and posted all over the internet?
How does it affect the socio-psychological and mental health of the child? How will it effect their developing behavioural patterns?
In my opinion, it’s on the level of being a child star.
ALSO READ: Young fashion consumers contribute to rape culture
Social media is rapid and the reach is almost astronomical – and the older generations cannot relate to this phenomenon.
It’s something that could see us wait for these children to grow up to truly see the effects of being a internet star from the foundation years.
Everyone knows how child stars suffer from mental health issues when they grow up.
Celebrities that were child stars who appeared to have suffered mentally are the late Michael Jackson, Lindsey Lohan, Macaulay Culkin and Demi Levato.
ALSO READ: Young people using social media to raise awareness
Child stars are opened up to more scrutiny than your average child – imagine being judged, assessed and have your image constantly being looked at by your employers and the general public – it’s anxiety inducing, which is surely unhealthy for a young mind?
Although influencer kids like the wholesome Gavin Thomas (one million followers on Instagram) and Zaza Bean (1,2 million followers) are entertaining and well managed by their parents, one does worry for the safety and mental well-being in the long term.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz6qlPPhWQL/
Second-year psychologist student and children’s au pair, Ashleigh Ryan, breaks down the psycho-analysis of a developing mind who is in the public eye: “Lot’s of parents who have children who are famous are mainly worried about what they can get out of their child – like money – and they tend to forget they’re developing human beings who have feelings and other needs. This could also trigger a sense of mistrust in a child which can affect them in the later stages of their lives.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzQbEwOHKNs/
“If they are overindulged and given too much attention they can become too trusting, which can result in them being taken advantage by managers and their parents.”
One last thing to consider is the potential superiority complex a famous child can develop when they grow up with the world at their feet and they get away with more than what an average child would get away with.
“Everyone around them can make them believe that they’re superior so they feel like the same rules don’t apply to them,” said Ryan.
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
To receive our free newsletter click here.
