NEW DELHI: The Broadcast Contents Complaints Council (BCCC) today advises all member channels of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) to refrain from featuring children below the age of 12 years in any situation that has sexual or adult overtones.

The advisory is bound to also affect serials and reality shows on television, since the BCCC says "children should not be made to dance to songs that have covert sexual overtones. They should not be allowed to imitate adult gestures with a sexual or vulgar content. And they should not be placed in situations where they wear makeup and costumes in an effort to imitate adult performers and then enact scenes, songs or dance moves with an adult content or a sexual subtext."

It said it had received many complaints about the sexualisation of children on talent and other shows on general entertainment channels. "The Council has watched some of these programmes and shares the concerns of those who have complained."

BCCC said the Advisory applied to all such situations and the BCCC did not consider it a mitigating circumstance if the channel had secured the permission of parents. "Our concern is with protecting children and in ensuring that Indian television portrays them in a manner that is devoid of sexual or vulgar overtones."

In a separate advisory, BCCC said member channels should refrain from placing children below the age of 16 years in situations that may endanger their health, safety and morale.

The content of any production and/or reality show that may cause anxiety/distress/ mental trauma to the participating children must be avoided. "The content of all shows should be sensitively handled, and the way children are projected should not harm or pose any risk to their safety and well-being, or cause any kind of health hazard."

Emphasis should be placed on the ?best interest of the child?.

The child must be consulted and heard at all times throughout by all concerned. "The participation of any child in any show, which may interfere with his/her ?right to education? in terms of effective school participation, should be avoided."

The Advisory should be read in conjunction with the Guidelines of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on ?Participation of Children in TV and Reality Shows?, BCCC said.

Justifying the advisories, BCCC Chairperson Justice (Retd.) A P Shah said: ?Children command a crucial position both as viewers and participants of television programmes. The BCCC firmly believes that their interest cannot be compromised under any circumstance. This is also the letter and the spirit of various laws and enactments relating to our children."

?The BCCC is confident that both the Advisories issued today ? ?Sexualisation of Children in TV Shows? and ?Health & Safety of Children in TV Shows? ? will be strictly followed by the various TV channels during the production and telecast of their programmes. Our intention is to make television viewing a pleasurable experience for all, particularly children.?