Outrage As X Factor Lowers Age Limit To 14
Controversy has raged this week as word spread that ITV had lowered the age limit of its talent show ‘The X Factor’ to 14.
A spokesman for the Family and Parenting Institute said: “We are concerned about the impact that a barrage of criticism will have on young people.
“It could send an unfortunate message to other children about bullying. We expect the producers to give proper support and counselling for young people who are thrust into the spotlight by the show.”
Chris Cloke, NSPCC head of child protection awareness, said: “Success on X Factor could be a real lift to a young artist’s career. However, it will be vital that ITV ensure they have robust child protection measures in place and that all young participants and their parents are made fully aware of what they are entering into.”
Sue Palmer, an education consultant and author of Toxic Childhood, said: “Young teens may think it’s a brilliant opportunity to get on TV and become celebrities, but the public humiliation doled out by Cowell would be emotionally destabilising for anyone.
“The under16s should be protected from this sort of experience.”
What do you think? Is 14 years old, too young to face the wrath of Simon Cowell? Leave a comment and let us know what you think.
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April 4th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
I think they should put the age limit down to 14 because their are lots of people my age that want to be a singer and wants to be famous, i know i do. Alot of people have been waiting for an oportunity to enter and just can’t wait 3 years til they can. I have always wanted to be a singer for ages an this could be my chance. I think that some people should think that some of us understand the pressure an think before we enter. This could be our oportunity so please think about our chances of getting through.
April 12th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
i dont no what you are talking about its about time they lowered the age limit so that other people can enter it to
ive my audition in london and im 15
also auditioned for britain’s got talent
i think its the best thing they have done
April 16th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
I think it’s a GREAT idea! I’m 14 and would LOVE to enter!!
April 19th, 2007 at 11:23 am
i think you should reduce the age limits because i ve wanted to be a singer since i was little and it has always been my passion. people who enter know what they’re getting into so theirs nothing to be worried about their parents should be their for them anyway if they get rejected.
raine xxxx
April 22nd, 2007 at 10:05 am
Hi I am Lucy and I do not like the age lowered to 14 as they will not be ready and there are sinister reasons behind why they have lowered the age to 14.
Look at Britney and Micheal Jackson both have suffered because of child exploitation STOP IT NOW
April 22nd, 2007 at 10:09 am
I agree with Lucy it is child exploitation.
Children need to be protected..Why can they not wait until they are 16 to make it(only two more yrs)
It is a very bad industry from what I hear with peodofiles look at Johnathon King they want your soul now AND IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO BE A EXCELLENT SINGER
April 22nd, 2007 at 12:51 pm
In any case Simon Cowell will likely they they need experience or they’ll be too say, there wont be enough time to work with them or they need to experiment and find an identity they can be comfortable with, He just knows the public will clamour to watch and spend money voting for kids so as long as there’s money in it Simon doesnt give a damn as to the trauma and problems which could arise, also if he is as rotten, disrespectful and totally bad mannered and insulting to them as he was to The Macdonalds last year then the show will really show itself for the SIMON COWELL EXPLOITATION FARCE IT IS.A rip off too, but hey, money and ignorance talks. Rod.
April 23rd, 2007 at 9:10 pm
hiya my name is jamie, and i think its the best thing that has ever happened to have lowered the gae to 14, ino that it cud be child exploitation, but ther r ppl out ther tht want this more than life, and this could be their chance, as for me im of on the xfactor in 2008.
April 23rd, 2007 at 9:12 pm
OH AND PLZ PLZ NY1 THT SEE THIS MESAGE PLZ VOTE FOR ME NEXT YEAR, MY NAME IS JAMIE WARD PLZ VOTE FOR ME, AND I THINK I RLY WILL GET THROUGH THE AUDITIONS AND HAVE A LOT OF FAITH IN MYSLF I JUST HOPE U GUYS OUT THER DO….
April 27th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
i’ve wanted to be a doctor since an early age, it’s been my passion, maybe they should lower the age of uni applicants cos i just can’t wait. i think it’s sad, none of you kids can even spell yet and you’re setting your hopes on becoming rich and famous. give children a chance to want a childhood.
April 28th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
i think lowering the age to 14 is great cause i love singing!!!! i express my self by singing. you only go on the show if u can stand the comments! so facing simon is no excuse he rocks and always speaks the truth so listen to him people!!!
April 29th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
i am 15 at the moment, i love singing, dancing and acting, pretty much anything to do with being on stage and performing. at first when i saw about the age being 14 i was really quite happy about it, but as i think anout more, i dont like the idea of it being that young, children need time to be children, teenagers need time to be teenagers, imagine if a 14 year old won x-factor, you’d never get a private moment again. i think 14 is too young, 16 should be the age limit, but hey, desperate times call for desperate measures and obviously the show producers dont care about the needs that younger people have
July 26th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
I think its a great idea putting the age down to 14 me and my friend are always saying we d love to go on x factor thankyou x
August 12th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
i think they should lower the age to 14 because im 15 and wanted to try it. people say that others wont be able to cope with simons comments but what i think is if u can handle it then go for it but dont be a chicken at the last minute you may get somewhere one day if u at least try.
thanks xxxx
February 26th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
hey, i agree with bert, there are so many people saying “this is my dream!” etc its quite agravating! I think that its a good idea to lower the age because there is alot of talent there, but it could be a bad idea because, at 14 its so many people dream to be rich and famous, as you mature, you realise its very rare its going to happen, so many people are saying oh yes i love singing and its my dream im so good - so if so many people are so good then suddenly the stake is raised! so you have to be even better! Good Luck to everyone
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:07 am
They put the age down because there were very talented people who were underage at the time.
Come on, critism? sit through any parents evening for a year 10 or 11 student in the uk. I can assure you, you will hear much worse than Simon Cowell. Mainly because his job doesn’t rely on a hundred or more students passing only one or two kids getting abit through a reality show and entertaining the public for abit before they disappear again.
Young people don’t live in the land of lollipops and rainbows anymore, they know how much they’re valued in society or how little in some cases.
Good luck to the contestants!!! It’s a great opportunity but not any easy option for new artists.