Has anyone seen the show Paranormal Kids? Is it true that it's a disgraceful exploitation of children?

Question

I haven't seen it because it's not shown here but I was reading about it on another forum.

From what I gather they told some eight year old kid that her imaginary friend was a real person that had lived and died in the 1800s. They even found this person listed on the census and convinced the kid she was communicating with his spirit.

Surely children should be protected and their imaginations should not be prostituted for the gullible public's viewing pleasure?

I noticed that someone posting on here was recommending watching it.

Here is a link to the forum where I read about it - not sure if you have to register to read it but I don't think so.

http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=115773&highlight=paranormal+kids

Answer 1

Have you seen the documentary Jesus Camp?  It's very similar.

I watched an episode last weekend.  I have seen other mumbo jumbo paranormal shows, but Psychic Kids had my blood boiling.  First of all, the "host" (who I think is from Paranormal State) not only treats all claims by children as gospel, he also encourages their fantasy.

He encourages children to take video cameras to find disturbing places.  Guess where the disturbing place was.  The dark attic of a house!  What a shocker.  No doubt they found dark basements, closets and the areas under beds awash in spiritual activity too.

It is nothing short of indoctrination into magical thinking.  It really ticked me off.  Teaching the children nonsense (i.e. EVPs, EMF readings = ghosts), but to alter the thought process of these children is at least exploitative.  When these people tell the kids magical entities are out there they are encouraging imagination while discouraging the natural curiosity to explore the world and find out how things work.

Answer 2

Since I believe kids should not be involved or encouraged in it, I won't even watch the show.  I think there are too many fanatical opinions on psychics and paranormal anything to try to get kids to understand it.  It scares them.  While I usually have the exact opposite opinion from you, this time I agree with you 100%.

Answer 3

it's harsh i agree i would think twice before letting my child doing such thing but also it gives public a proof that such things are real

Answer 4

Does it mean that we are exploiting children when concerned parents come to Y/A in any catagory to ask for advise concerning their child?  I don't think so.

  I wish my mother had been enough of a parent not to be ashamed of what her daughter was telling her.  She took me to the Doctor with the intent of medicating me, but thankfully, this Doctor knew that I was not emotionally or mentally unstable, and he would not do what she wanted.  Sorry, old wounds do not heal so well, and today my mother and I do not enjoy any kind of relationship.

I wish I had someone that could have been a mentor to me when I was a child.  But at time, it wasn't possible.  I don't believe that any of the children are being used.  I think it is real parents trying to find answers. And that is a good thing.

Answer 5

I did see an episode and it disturbed me, and I haven't watched any more. I don't have much tolerance for any kind of abuse of children, and I think these kids were being conditioned, confused and compelled to believe in all sorts of mythical things so the camera could follow them and the the viewers could be entertained. Makes me sad.

Answer 6

Wow, your so negative in your answers, must be nice to get pass out judgement along side God!!!  Why don't you try watching before you spout off? No kids are being prostituted for the publics entertainment, the show is about helping these kids get a grip on their gift. What makes you so sure its imagination? Who are you to decide that for anyone else? Open your mind, come down off your high horse.

Answer 7

Children are vulnerable and I agree with you because it scares them and gives parents attention.  A parent or others can make a child believe what is being told to them.

Answer 8

It is true.  I saw it last week and they had these kids doing paranormal investigating.  I think it borders on child abuse.  These kids are already confused and don't know how to control what they are feeling, then they send them into a haunted place and put cameras on them.     Some of those kids probably really do have gifts, but they aren't doing them any favors by exploiting them.

Answer 9

I don't like paranormal state-b/c they don't seem to know or understand  earthbounds.

Now, as for the child-in that ep she was not having an imaginary friend. Before the show aired she was telling her parents that someone died named Sarah, and all these other  named-2 more I think. She was wanting her dad to believe her and he wouldnt.

They searched records for that area on the show-and it turned out all the names matched  in one family (a mother and child I think).  

Children are very psychic and should be encouraged and understood.

That being said, It's irresponsible and stupid of the show to throw children into places where they believe there to be earthbounds. They are  easily leeched onto and it's not safe at all!

PS- I think that having aforum for skeptics is really ridiculous- who does that? It's a belief , you either believe in something or u dont. I don't go to forums to talk about how much I hate something or how much I disbelieve certain religions or other beliefs..It's a waste of time. I noticed many were christians on the board, and are they forgeting he was the RESULT of a PREDICTION? he HEALED and ROSE FROM THE DEAD..yah b.c THAT isn't something to be skeptical about lololol. Why don't ppl let us believe in our own beliefs.

Randi is a freud himself. He doesnt test any psychics fairly and admits to that-he is the only judge..biased judge-he doesnt even have any background in science or research..he's a magician for petes sake! He's not reputable. There are BETTER paranormal researchers out there looking for the truth!

Answer 10

It is disgraceful what is the world coming to. Those kids should be concentrating on their schoolwork, getting to learn about Jesus Christ and enjoy being a child but instead they are encouraged to contact the dead. Contacting the dead is a very dangerous practice and all spirits they come into contact with are totally evil.

Answer 11

I saw the show and thought it was good.  For one thing, it seemed the parents had no place else to go for help.  As for the kids, they thought they were freaks until they met other kids just like them.   I'd watch it again.