To be horrified and appalled at comments on mumsnet that have been directed at a ten year old child?

[theBFG]

Yes, I realize this is essentially a thread about a thread and yes, I realize that everyone has had enough of BGT.

But having clicked on last night's thread I was to see the kinds of comments directed towards Holly. Comments such as 'You can see why she is bullied can't you?'

And comments comparing her to the child out of Charly and the chocolate factory.

All this based on a two minute clip of her on Friday night.

Now, regardless of opinions of her actual performance, or whether she did or did not have a tantrum, or whether people think the whole thing was staged, people seem to have lost sight of the fact that this is a ten year old child that they are putting down on a public website.

A child who, if she really is being bullied, will probably continue to be bullied after her performance on friday night.

Would people make such horrible comments about friends' children? Or the children of people you knew to be mumsnetters?

If not what gives people the right to make such horrible comments about an unknown child?

I've said it once I'll say it again: age limits.

Age limits on ALL this stuff, including adult sporting events.

No more 10-year-olds on shows like this, 14-year-olds in 'mens' Olympic events, etc.

They have the rest of their lives ahead of them for disappointment and having an off night, but only one childhood.

I didn't make the comment on the original thread because one comment would be lost among the 800 or so posts on it.

I think the vitreol directed at a child in this way, on a parenting forum, merrits more than just a comment on a thread created to discuss more than just that child.

Violethill, I hardly think you are in a position to put the blame for nasty comments towards this child on me given you are the one justifying the bullying of this child.

And just to clarify, there is a vast difference between saying the girl wasn't very talented (matter of opinion) or that she had a tantrum (matter of opinion), and saying you can see why she is bullied, based on having seen her twice, on television, not in her usual surroundings, and not actually having seen her in person.

No, I am not bullying a child. I am being honest about the fact that IMO (and in many others' actually) she can't sing. I am being honest about the fact that her second chance and subsequent place in the Final was undeserved. I am being honest about the fact that none of the other children on the show behaved like that.

I am not blaming you for nasty comments either - I am simply surprised to see anyone starting up yet another thread about it.

I don't understand why you have started another thread about this child, which will obviously encourage further comments that you seem to object to.

If were so incensed then wouldn't it be better to leave it well alone until it became old news.

Sorry, i just don't get it to be honest.

Agree barnsley - the whole thing wasn't pretty.

I just still think that a mixed-age TV talent contest is not a suitable place for a little girl to get her first 'big break'. Hollie, Natalie, all of them should be joining a local choir or music group, concentrating on really developing their voices and then maybe when older trying out for a competition. This whole debate highlights for me WHY children should not be allowed on BGT - it leaves them open to the machinations of pushy parents, TV producers, music executives.

I agree, OP.

BFG, but there was on, all the threads, people challenging this... anyway...
and as ou see, this thread has just invited more vitriol against a little girl...

Like I said, I agree with you...

and indeed with Expat, about age limits....it is to much pressure for younger children, no matter how much they look like they can cope...I mena, look at Britney Spears...

tbh, I think they should scrap all singing acts for BGT, or should change it to certain genre's...because, surely we have enough singing competitions already...like x-factor...

I think that adult women,mothers themselves,spitting venom about a little girl whatever she did is truly horrible.