Children have been taking a leading role in many reality television series as of late. TLC is packed full of shows like “Jon and Kate Plus 8” and “18 Kids and Counting.” This brings up the point, is it healthy to put children in front of the camera so early? Lynn Meschan, a professor of child psychology at Moorpark College, feels that it is too early to determine the affects of this relatively new phenomena, as long term research is currently unavailable. Dr. Meschan did however see a correlation between what is happening in these households under scrutiny and research outcomes on bacteria.
“Bacteria grows faster under observation,” said Meschan. She feels that this same idea could easily apply to the televised children. “Children growing up in the glare of the camera are not going to grow the same way as those raised under regular conditions. I would not recommend it and I would not do it with my kids.”