Is Germany's Next Topmodel harmful to minors?
Is "Germany's Next Top Model" a youth-endangering program? This is the Pinkstinks campaign, which campaigns against gender discrimination and positive body and role models in children.
In a petition Pinkstinks demands that the casting show, which is especially popular with young girls, is reviewed by the responsible state media authority Berlin-Brandenburg. We asked Stevie Schmiedel, CEO of Pinkstinks, why she considered GNTM dangerous.
Stevie Schmiedel, founder and CEO of Pinkstinks
© Alicia KassebohmChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Why do you think the program "Germany's Next Top Model" is harmful to minors?
Stevie Schmiedel: In Germany, one in four girls between the ages of 11 and 17 is eating disturbed. Even though Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg emphasizes that eating disorders are caused by complex interrelationships, we know at least since the study by the Central Institute for Youth Television (IZI) that the enthusiasm for GNTM can be the beginning of an eating disorder. Of course, children everywhere see exaggerated beauty ideals. Here, however, a dream is made to earn a lot of money, to travel, to be famous ... At a time of day when 12-year-olds still watch television and their heroines are only four years older. Heidi's girls are role models for millions of girls in Germany.
What do you demand from the creators of the program?
We urge ProSieben to upgrade the program to 16 years. It should then be broadcast at 22 clock. She would probably be dead because it's mostly young people watching the show. ProSieben knows that, of course. But according to the IZI study, only 4 percent of viewers have the disposition for a model body. But since 'the girls' live their dream, everyone compares to them. It would be praiseworthy if the perversion of the model world was more strongly addressed in GNTM? but even then the show would probably be broken. So it only helps to stop the program or send it later.
Meanwhile, GNTM shows how Heidi Klum eats or cooks with the participants. Why is not that enough for you?
It is extremely unlikely that Heidi Klum or another model regularly kills doner kebab? In their first seasons, Heidi Klum has often praised her tight regime (protein and vegetables, NEVER carbohydrates). Especially girls, who worry about their appearance, then ask themselves, what is wrong with them, that they have to starve for such measures. They do not have the ability to criticize (even if the Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg claims this) with 12, to realize that they are deceived. Heidi and 'her girls' act as unattainable models.
Click here for the Pinkstinks petition
Supplement of May 11, 2015: The Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg has meanwhile pledged to Pinkstinks that it will have the program reviewed by the Commission for Youth Media Protection.
