It's obvious that millions of kids are watching American Idol each week. So is American Idol really suitable for children and tweens?
"It's funny, like showing how people can't sing and stuff. I think Simon's rude."
That’s what twelve year old Mckenna has to say about American Idol, which was recently named “Favorite Show” at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. This show has charmed viewers in just about every age group, and the popularity of this talent competition among kids appears to be growing. Successful singers like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are experiencing a great deal of post-Idol success, and this may be drawing new young viewers to the show.
One thing that sets Idol apart from some of the other reality shows of today is the fact that viewers don’t see the drama that occurs off the set. At least that’s true for the latter part of the competition. The first few weeks of the show do tend to have some questionable content that may not be suitable for younger viewers. Contestants are often shown using profane language and inappropriate hand gestures in response to criticism from Randy, Paula, and especially, Simon. Parents of tweens may also be concerned about Cowell’s negative comments regarding the appearance of some contestants, and if they do allow their children to watch, they may want to discuss issues such as body image and self-esteem. While it is clear many watch American Idol specifically for these infamous critiques, some parents may feel that laughing and poking fun at others--even if they're on TV--may not be the best message to send to kids.
According to Common Sense Media, American Idol is suitable for children 10 and up. Noted in the review is the fact that the first several weeks of auditions can actually be mean-spirited, but that the tone of the show changes as the group of hopefuls is narrowed down to the top 12. The review at Common Sense Media also mentions the not-so-subtle product placement that’s part of every episode of Idol, such as the three Coke cups sitting on the desk in front of the judges. This would be a good opportunity for parents to discuss advertising and how product placement during popular shows can result in more sales.
For the most part, American Idol is a show that families with older children can watch together. The only part of the show that features inappropriate content is the initial audition process, so concerned parents of children and tweens may want to skip those weeks completely. Of course, Cowell does continue to be a bit harsh throughout the competition, so some parents will prefer to wait until after the little ones are asleep to catch up on Idol.
