Should all kids be able to appear on tv?

Newsround Press Packer Finlay

Children younger than 14 could be stopped from appearing on Newsround and other CBBC shows if new rules the government is thinking over are brought in.

It's suggesting that kids should only be able to take part in factual programmes if they're performing - that means singing, acting or dancing.

For Newsround this means we might not be able to have any Press Pack reports on TV, or be able to ask you on camera what you about issues in the news.

So what do you think? Should kids be allowed to appear on TV programmes at all times?

Or should be separate rules to protect children?

Unfortunately this topic is now closed but there are Comments pages on other subjects on the main Chat index.

Your comments

"WHAT? I think that's silly because the reason most kids including me watch programmes like that is so we're not being ignored and the programmes star kids, for kids. One of the reasons I really like Newsround is that it isn't boring, it is for kids and you ask us for our opinions. So I really don't want this new rule."

Amy, 11, Edinburgh, Scotland

"I think it stinks to not have kids who are under 14 on the telly."

Tiffany, 11, Manhattan, New York

"I think any child, with permission from parent or guardian, should be able to appear."

April, 11, Dorset, England

"What in the world am I hearing? This is sooo ridiculous. If adults have the right to appear on the telly, children should get the opportunity. Even under 5s could join a drama club."

Emily, 10, England

"As long as the child has their parent or carer's permission, there is no reason why they can't."

Lauren, 12, Kent, England

"I think that if children have asked permission, they should be allowed to appear on the television. It's only fair, because on shows like 'Gimme A Break', children do not perform."

Becky, 12, Folkestone, England

"I think all children over the age of six should have rights to be on TV as it is an honour to get on there! I really want to be on TV and I can't let that drift away from my dreams. But that is just my opinion!"

Lydia, 10, Shropshire, England

"I think it would be cool to be on television so we can have our say!"

Robyn, 12, Fife, Scotland

"Life will be boring for us children if we can't go on TV. This country will lose a lot of talent. We need to be able to express ourselves."

Davina, 9, Walsall, England

"This new law is silly! Our thoughts are important as well!"

Liz, 13, Birmingham, England

"I think children under 14 should be able to go on TV - When I'm older I want to appear on Raven! It's not fair, one day I want to stop the government from making stupid rules, whatever it takes. Court, speaking to the government - whatever... It's just not fair!".

Leah, 8, Hampshire, England

"I think kids should be allowed to be on shows like CBBC... I'm not sure about being on talent shows - It's OK in a big group, but not on your own, because it does put too much pressure on them!"

Beca, 11, Cardiff, Wales

"WHAT!?!?!?! That's waaay unfair!"

Fiona, 9, Massachusetts, USA

"Yes, I think we should... but only with permission from a parent or guardian."

Nicole, 12, Llanelli, Wales

"I think all children should be allowed on TV, no matter what age. And we should definitely have a say in what goes on in the world - our views are as important as anyone else's."

Isabella, 14, Durham, England

"I think children under 14 should be allowed on TV as long they do not say bad words."

Kessa, 11, West Sussex, England

"What about Best of Friends on CBBC? Kids under 14 would love to go on there! This new idea is really dumb in my opinion."

TT, 12, Berkshire, England

"Yes, I mean if you have the permission from your parent or guardian you should be able to. Otherwise it's just a waste of time."

Fallout, 11, London, England

"That is hypocritical. Children aren't allowed on TV- what will happen to all the little kid's shows? What about adults? If we suggested adults shouldn't be allowed on TV we would be laughed at, but it is the same principal."

Emma, 13, Tyne and Wear, England

"I think this suggestion is just plain silly and I highly doubt many people will agree with it. There is NOTHING wrong with children appearing on television and they have no reason to ban them from fulfilling their own dreams and what could possibly be their future!"

Faatima, 12, Birmingham, England

"Children under 14 should be allowed on TV and if they're not that would be unfair."

Stuart, 11, Scotland

"All children should be allowed on TV. We should all have that right, not that I am planning to go on TV anytime soon but other children my age and any age under 14 should be allowed that chance!"

Alanna, 12, Warwickshire, England

"I think that all kids should be allowed on TV if they want to. I think that no-one should be forced if they don't want to but making a law about not being on TV is so silly!"

Kirsten, 10, Cardiff, Wales

"I think all children should be able to appear on TV as it's a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Rebecca, 12, Manchester, England

"I think kids SHOULD be allowed on TV, but I think there should also be an age limit, but not under 14s. I think you should be allowed on TV if you're older than seven. But that's just my opinion."

Charlotte, 11, Leicester, England

"To be honest, I think it is wrong. A lot of these programmes are unsuitable and they use all the pretty actors, and kids who are not that attractive think little of themselves!"

Lily, 11, Glasgow, Scotland

"Yes children should appear on TV because there are so many programmes for children to watch that have children making a career."

Krissy, 13, London, England

"I think all kids should be able to watch the telly but most kids should only be able to watch certain channels/shows."

Ellen, 12, London, England

"Under 14 is harsh, if it was 13 I'd be ok with that but over 14? That's rubbish! I'm not planning on going on TV but I think kids aged under 14 have a right to so, with parental permission of course."

Alice, 12, London, England

"I think the government is very stupid changing the laws about kids entering shows. Also Britain's got Talent won't be the same without children."

Bethany, 11, Bradford, England

"I think that's unfair and silly. What if they are really talented? The government will be holding kids back."

Chloe, 10, London, England

"This is ridiculous. Those new rules are solving a problem that doesn't exist. As long as the person doing the filming has permission from the kids and the parents there is nothing wrong. Instead of banning kids from appearing, they could have chaperones and coaches just as in the performing arts."

Ben, 14, Plymouth, England

"I frankly think that is disgusting. kids have rights too! children's TV is better with children in it because viewers can relate to the characters."

Huw, 12, Wales

"I think they should let kids under 14 be on CBBC shows because it's aimed at children that age and loads of people want to be on a show. It wouldn't be fair if you can't sing, dance or act at all!"

Vene, 12, Leicester, England

"That is the stupidest thing I have ever seen and heard. Everyone should get a chance to be on TV."

Chr, 14, Lincolnshire, England

"I think that TV is more interesting with different age groups when there's something for everybody to watch."

Sumaia, 14, London, England

"This idea sounds like it's been made up on the spot for no reason at all!"

TJ, 11, England

"CBBC is aimed at under 14s, how can you just have adults in it?!"

Faeqa, 11, London, England

"This is just utterly ridiculous because there are loads of brilliant game shows on CBBC and if this law went through those programmes would not exist or be stupidly limited."

Joni, 10, UK

"No!!!! I think that it is unfair. My brothers and I watch CBBC and we love it. I have always wanted to be on TV!!! It's not fair."

Chloe, 11, Herts, England

"This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. You may as well make every public place a 'no cameras' place."

Laura, 10, England

"Yes, I think children should be able to go on TV, as long as they have their parents' permission."

Hannah, 13, Shropshire, England

"I don't think it's fair. I think it should be under 10!!"

Amy, 11, Falkirk, Scotland

"I think kids should be allowed on TV. It's only other kids watching them so why shouldn't they. If it's something they want to go for they should be allowed with parents permission."

Zoe, 13, Manchester, England

"I have always wanted to be on TV but I don't think I can be on TV now. I think the new idea is silly."

Sarah, 10, Aberdeen, England

"Yes!!! I am going to be in a TV programme and it's good for kids to be on TV young because it lets them have a taste what fame is like!!!"

Claudia, 12, Slough, England

"Kids under 14 have the same rights as the ones over 14. I DON'T like this idea at all."

Emilie, 10, Northampton, England

"I hope they don't because I've just applied for a show on CBBC!!"

Harriet, 10, North Yorkshire, England

"I think that kids should be allowed on TV because it's up to their parents if they want them to or not and lots of kids love being Press Packers. I don't think many kids would like the idea of a law to stop them being on TV."

Amy, 13, Hertfordshire, England

"I think that kids should definitely be allowed on telly but only if they're really good because lots of kids in programmes are annoying and not very good at acting."

Budleigh, 7, Liverpool, England

"I think kids should be on TV because we want to watch shows with kids in them. We want to hear kids opinions. Kids rule!!!"

Sarah, 12, Somerset, England

"I think kids should be able to appear on TV. That is why I watch Newsround."

Marte, 10, Kent, England

"That's ridiculous. What's wrong with how the system is now? Children should be allowed on TV if they want, geez."

Cherry, 14, Liverpool, England

"Most telly shows revolve around children taking part like most of the CBBC shows! Also does that mean that you won't be allowed to like be a background person or like only have a few lines? It is denying some children their dreams!"

Aisling, 12, Galway, Ireland

"I think children of any age, if they have talent, should be able to go on TV and express themselves to the world!"

Laura, 10, Cardiff, Wales

"I think it's important that kids should have their say in what's going on in the world!"

Saskia, 12, Berkshire, England

"But CBBC is aimed at under 14s and it wouldn't be as good if CBBC didn't have all the kids game shows it does now! So I think under 14s should be allowed on TV!"

Ethan, 11, England

"It has always been my dream to make it on TV so if the law is change it will make it a lot harder to make my dream come true."

Nic, 9, Surrey, England

"I think it's pointless that the government is thinking of new rules about kids not appearing on TV anymore. What's the problem that makes them think that children shouldn't appear on TV? If kids want to appear on TV and they have permission from their parents or guardian then why shouldn't they?"

Ruhi, 14, Liverpool, England

"I am 13 and I act. I would really like the opportunity to be seen in shows. Or at least be shown on TV for my talent. I can also sing and would like people to see this too. If you're good at acting then yes you should be in TV shows. Also, kids should have the same options as adults no matter what."

Emily, 13, Leicestershire, England

"Of course kids should be able to appear on TV, we should be able to have our own say."

Beatrice, 10, Nottingham, England

"I think kids should be allowed on TV because I like acting and want to be on TV so that would take the opportunity from me and other kids. Also we can relate to kids on TV more than adults!"

Olivia, 12, England

"Of course! Many kids are actually stars in the making - why should the government deprive them of a chance to appear on TV?"

Joanne, 10, Manchester, England

"I think this is really unfair. Kids make the TV better and if there were no kids then there would be hardly any Newsround and that would be terrible."

Abi, 11, Lancashire, England

"Yes, I've been signing up for loads of shows and I've never got in. In my opinion I think that children aged 7 or over should be on the TV."

Natalie, 10, Nottingham, England

"I think its okay for young children to go on TV as long as they're not missing out on their education."

Hannah, 11, Edinburgh, Scotland

"I think children should be allowed to go on TV unless they're having ages off school to film it."

Colette, 12, Glasgow, Scotland

"I think that kids should be able to appear on TV."

Catlin, 11, Aberdeen, Scotland

"I definitely think kids should be allowed to be on children's programmes, it is meant for children after all! As long as they have parent or guardian's permission then why shouldn't they be allowed? That is really silly in my opinion!"

Jasmine, 13, UK

"I definitely think we should be allowed on TV."

Yasmin, 11, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

"I definitely think kids should be allowed because loads of kids watch Newsround and Newsround would be very boring if kids were not on the news to tell what happened."

Angelica, 12, Bolton, England

"I'm younger than 14 and think children should be allowed, and I'm sure others will agree."

Lauren, 12, Wales

"Of course kids should be allowed on a children's TV programme such as Newsround because that's what makes kids want to watch the show."

Stephanie, 11, York, England

"I think they should because it lets kids our age enjoy programmes more, instead of boring adults all the time. And the views are better and closer to what we think is right."

Joycelyn, 13, East Grinstead, England

"Kids should be allowed on TV because if not they could be missing out on learning about a good career when they are older."

Jack, 12, Newcastle under Lyme, England