Parents let their children become famous early: "Even adults are afraid, let alone children"

Kids who don't know they're famous

Recently, netizens have been debating many issues surrounding the fact that Pam (born 2022) - a famous phenomenon on social networks - was allowed by her parents to participate in commercials and attend crowded, noisy, and bustling programs and events.

Baby Pam burst into tears and kept asking to go home while attending an event at a shopping mall in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo cut from clip).

Accordingly, Pam attended an event at a shopping mall in Ho Chi Minh City. At this event, many people came to see and record images of the "child idol" who is attracting attention on social networks.

However, because there were so many people, Pam burst into tears as soon as she stepped out. It took a while for her parents to calm her down. However, throughout the event, despite trying to interact with the audience as her parents asked, Pam could not hide her bewildered expression, her shyness, and kept asking to go home.

When she left, the crowd continued to surround her and some people even touched Pam, but she just looked confused, not understanding why.

Notably, when the event ended, the female MC - the host - of that day's event was also "stoned" by netizens, because they thought she was the reason why Pam cried. The female MC also went online to explain and sob in response to the attacks from the online community.

This is not the first time Pam has attended a crowded event (Photo: Salim).

After this incident, many people asked the question: "Is letting a child so young participate in many crowded events and become famous at an early age affecting the child's psychology?"

Not only Pam, on social networks, many "child idols" also have their images built by their parents from a young age or pursue fame like family KOLs or KOFs (families with a large number of followers on social networks, often sharing about daily life and having influence on the community).

While many KOFs strictly limit their children's public appearances, some families still regularly let their children participate in crowded events with cameras and lights shining directly in their faces.

Let children be children in peace

According to Mr. Le Anh Tu, Lecturer of the Faculty of Public Relations - Communication, Van Lang University, parents need to consider and be extremely careful in deciding to let their children become famous and appear in public at such a young age.

"This somewhat affects the child's psychology. Because an adult standing in front of a camera and a noisy crowd makes them feel scared and worried, let alone a child who is only 2 years old.

Nowadays, many organizations have recommended not to post pictures of children on social networks (Illustration: ST).

For example, if a presenter wants to speak well in front of the camera, he must practice for months or years to overcome his fear and gain confidence. Forcing a child who is only 2 or 3 years old to be happy and interact in front of a crowd is very difficult, and few children are bold enough to do that," said Mr. Tu.

Mr. Tu believes that parents should only record themselves or have a team record their children privately and remotely, and avoid taking their children to events with too many people.

Psychologist Hong Huong, permanent resident at the Resident Library - Vietnam Association for the Protection of Children's Rights, said that if this is not the first time a child has been frightened, anxious, or cried at an event with many participants, parents should consider and immediately stop taking their children to similar events.

In case parents let their children become a tool to "fish" for interaction, forgetting that they are children, making them feel uncomfortable, they will unintentionally violate the law on children's rights.

"Let a child be a real child. If parents only take photos and videos of their children to create a social media channel to store memories, there is no problem. But once the child becomes famous, it is inevitable that bad people will take advantage of and harass them," the expert said.

Psychologically, if a child is always seen by those around him as "an outstanding and famous child", surrounded and noticed wherever he goes, in the long run, the child may easily develop "star disease".

Children may think "I am the best". However, once they are no longer getting attention, they will have psychological disturbances.

"In addition, when becoming an influential person in the community, not only the child but anyone will have to maintain an absolute image in front of the public. This causes personal freedom to be narrowed, and children will have to live according to the standards that others set for them," said Ms. Hong Huong.

In the case of a child who is already famous, the expert advises that parents should consider, not get carried away and see their child as a tool to make money. Parents must let their child maintain the innocence of a child.

In addition, parents need a psychologist or educator to accompany their children and consult with them on child protection laws. This is to ensure that their children are protected, develop in the right direction, manage risks, and parents also avoid breaking the law.

"All parents love their children unconditionally with their mind and heart. They also do not really want to use their children as a tool to make money. Maybe they only think about the good things that will come to their children when they become famous, but forget to consider the negative aspects. If parents know how to control and manage the risks, there will be no problem with the child's development," the expert shared.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/an-sinh/ba-me-cho-con-noi-tieng-tu-som-nguoi-lon-con-so-huong-chi-con-nit-20240926123158222.htm