to think that Bedtime Live on Channel 4 is unethical?

[NigellasGuest]

can't believe they have hidden cameras in children's bedrooms and broadcast footage live to the nation. I know they mean well but I think it is an abuse of power as the children cannot give their consent. I would not want to grow up and look back at a childhood which involved this happening to me. AIBU?

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

A childhood? It's about an hour isn't it? And each child has about 15 mins of that time on average.

An hour giving parents advice and support to help their children sleep properly, so that they help them avoid cognitive issues, concentration and development problems and try and improve their health and well being?

I would be thankful to my parents for doing anything they could to help me.

YABU

[Maggie111]

yabu...

[NigellasGuest]

I think it is wrong to be filmed without your consent, especially sleeping. Abusive and wrong. Children are people not guinea pigs.

[Shakey1500]

It's a glimpse of them sleeping though isn't it? Not abusive imo.

[NigellasGuest]

i do think it's an abuse of power because they can't give their consent.
Would you give your consent to be filmed asleep tonight?

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

They have parental consent. The parents of the children judged the program to be beneficial to their children.

[bollywoodfan]

You could say the same thing about supernanny or anything involving kids. I find the programme quite bizarre & distasteful actually. I think its the 'live' aspect being used for entertainment which just doesn't seem right.
A general programme with clips & video footage, giving sleep advice ,would have been just as helpful imo. I saw the first one but will not be watching any more

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

If I felt there was a good reason I would give consent, yes.

What exactly bothers you about it? Surely nappy adverts are just as bad?

[Shakey1500]

I would it I thought it might help others in any way, yes.

[HarderToKidnap]

Hmm, that's quite difficult isn't it? No filming of children or people who are unable to consent. So no documentaries or training films of severely disabled people. No child actors. No representation of disabled or ethnically/religiously diverse children. No children on telly at all.

It's the parents responsiblity to consent for children, we have to trust in them to do the best thing.

[Dominodonkey]

So do you not agree with a child being filmed at all without their consent? Plastic babies in tv programmes and films would look a little strange..

[NigellasGuest]

well yes I would say the same about supernanny probably but have never watched it or anything like it. This particular programme came on tonight and I must say I am shocked. Children have rights. So what if they have parental consent. Some parents will do anything.

[mum1979100]

Yanbu
I agree. The footage will be there forever. The little boy struggling to sleep without mummy's 'gok'. He's not going to like that that was filmed and broadcast to the nation.

[seriouscakeeater]

YABU! are you the lady that wants to get OBEM banned??

[Shakey1500]

Some parents will do anything

Of course they will when they are dealing with extreme sleep deprivation. Or any situation of that ilk. But they are doing it for a good reason. How is that not a good thing?

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

But those Supernanny programs give you no idea of how long the processes take, and a real time view.

Most people end up having a shot at a naughty chair and reward chart but don't keep it up as it is so labour intensive.

Here they are showing "real time" solutions at real bedtimes. Surely that gives more of a feeling that this could be an achievable exercise, rather than an edited program involving intrusive cameramen and various assistants.

[becsparkel]

I agree with you op. yanbu.

[mum1979100]

It's the live aspect. And the intimate nature of what's being filmed that seems wrong. Kinda like big brother for babies

[WorraLiberty]

Jeez it's not like they're doing what most parents do and splashing their kids photos over facebook for all to gawp at.

This is obviously to help themselves and others.

[LineRunnyEgg]

I hate the idea that parental consent trumps the children's rights to privacy.

That's why we have ended up with celebrity fuckwits parading their kids around everywhere, to the benefit of no-one except presumably the parents.

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

Why would a grown adult be ashamed that he drank breastmilk as a small child? Should he be ashamed?

I feel nothing but respect for these parents trying to do their best for their children. They look exhausted and fractious, I don't think it would have been a decision made lightly. They aren't exactly profiting from their personal "fame" are they?

[MrsBW]

I think you have an incredibly skewed idea of what abuse is, if you thinking filming a sleeping child for a few mins - with parental consent - is abuse.

YABU