Scripted reality - all just a show?

TV programmes that mix reality and staging can unsettle children and young people. This is because their view of themselves and the world is unconsciously manipulated. What should parents know?

Scripted reality formats are programmes with invented plots. So far, so clear. However, such programmes are produced in such a way that they appear to be a documentary or reportage. Reality and media reality merge seamlessly.
The fact that it is a scripted production is only mentioned in the credits. This makes it considerably more difficult for adolescents to differentiate between reality and media reality. Children and young people in particular can hardly tell the difference - not even with casting shows.
There is also a difference between scripted reality and casting shows. While scripted reality formats focus on conflicts, casting shows emphasise perfection; they bundle clichés and encourage viewers to emulate the ideals presented. In the modelling casting show «Germany's Next Topmodel», for example, this challenge is made quite openly: anyone who has certain physical characteristics and dresses and styles themselves accordingly is beautiful.
Children and young people tend to adopt such values in their everyday lives in order to fit in.

Who am I?

Adolescents in puberty are searching for their identity; they therefore like to compare themselves with their heroes and look for similarities to their lives. In doing so, they develop a feeling of superiority towards the characters who fail. They transport this feeling into their everyday lives. And there this can lead to conflicts in which young people unconsciously behave as perpetrators, victims or followers.

Model casting shows in particular have an influence

Casting programmes create a similar relationship with the candidates. Model casting shows in particular influence young people in their self-perception - the shows suggest that only visual characteristics are relevant. The incessant comparison and failure when teenagers do not live up to the ideals conveyed can make them unhappy and hopeless - and can manifest itself in eating disorders, for example.

Accompanying the child

This is where parents come in. Don't forbid your children to watch such programmes, but don't let them watch them alone either. Watch an episode together from time to time. Don't judge the programmes, but ask questions. What does your child like? Why? How does the plot shown differ from real life? So what is real? What is staged? Why? Discuss different plot patterns and the challenges together. And check whether there is any indication of the scripted plot.
This will strengthen your child's personality and also help them to remain critical in a world in which the boundary between staging and reality is becoming increasingly blurred.

Strong media

On Medienstark you will find tips and interactive learning modules for the competent use of digital media in everyday family life. swisscom.ch/medienstark