Earlier this month, Channel 4 courted controversy with the broadcast of Boys and Girls Alone, a four-part documentary series that saw ten boys and ten girls, all aged between eight and eleven, living away from their parents for two weeks. Living in their own separate “villages”, the children were given the freedom to decide everything about the way that they lived.
Reaction to the show has been predictably mixed – many viewers contacted the channel in praise of the programme, but others called for it to be taken off-air and condemned it as cruel. Channel 4’s head of factual entertainment, Andrew Mackenzie has publicly defended the series, as have the executive producers, who urged a more considered response from the those who have been critical.
In order to address viewer reactions fully, The TV Show will be devoting its next programme – Saturday 7 March, 4pm – to a debate on Boys and Girls Alone. What’s your opinion? Did you watch the series? Did you enjoy it? Do you think Channel 4 was right to commission it?
Krishnan will be putting your questions to representatives from the production company in addition to some of the children and parents featured in the show. He’ll also be speaking to some of the signatories to a letter to The Times (14 February), which alleged that the series contained “child abuse and cruelty”.
If you’d like to add your voice to the debate, please leave your comments below, submit a video response, or get in touch with The TV Show at thetvshow@princesstv.com to find out how you can join the studio audience.
Commentsoldest first
I think that William on ‘Boy and Girls Alone’ is the most adorable young boy I have ever encountered. Lets hope there are more children like him growing up in our society
I compelety agree with you. He is the smartest one among the others.
For the show, I loved it! It was amazing. It felts like being kid again. Programme is absolutely well directed and edited. I liked every part of it.
From happy moments to “lord of the flies” moments, Boys and Girls Alone puts light into emotions, psychology, behaviors and the characteristics of the children.
We love William too. Sweetest little boy you could imagine.
ive just watched the tv show n watched the comments made about the program n i totaly disgree i think it was a good way to show wat children know now a days n i think they should put the samer children in the houses now that its a year later n see wat they have learned xx
i want there to be more i want to go on the show
Boys and Girls alone is one of the best shows ever i wish i could go on there
i wonder when there will be another series on ?
this show is the best and i love it
i wish i could go on the show it is da best ive even done prohects on it
Just to add my support to the William fan club, he’s awesome! He’s just so sweet and good natured.
Got to say the two younger girls both come across as generally very intelligent and mature as well (don’t know their names but they were sharing a house at one point). Not seen the final episode yet but hope William and that girl make a fantastic couple!
i would like to take part in the next show
please i so want to do what ever i want
this was the best t.v show i have ever seen i hope that you will do an other 1
please xxx
I really enjoyed watching this programme, It should definately give the children today a new outlook on life, and not to take advantage of their parents.Hope there will be more series in the future.
Boys and girls alone is the best documentary I have ever seen there should definitely be another lots more series it was great
I think that Boys and Girls Alon is Sickk But Please can you make a boys and girls alone for 12-15 year olds that would be great aswell pllleeeeaaassseeee
They did have one for older children, it was called 4Alone, it was in 14 year olds apparently
by the way for people that don’t understand the context of this comment, i am guessing this person means great by “sick” as it is slang for “awesome”
boys and girls alone was the best. i want there to be some more series and go on the show = )
the program boys and girls alone was very funny.i would like to know if I alfie douglas could be on the program, if you were going to do another series of it please get back to me soon!
Alfie douglas
We should all learn a thing or two from the kids… they show us how we can all live in harmony. Keep up the good work Channel 4
what a brilliant transformation i think the kids went through. i hope the last 2 episodes answered any questions of it being cruel towards the kids. well done everybody.
it was awesome! so need to go on it!! How do u like fill out a form 4 it?? =) =P
x
im 11 years old and i love this show its da best
how do we get on boys and girls alone
Well,im 9 and i would really like to get on boys and girls alone.they should do another one forgoodness sake,
hi,
i am nearly 10.and i think its a great idea about doing boys and gilrs alone.AGAIN,i would love 2 do it,it looks great
i really like the doc does any body know how to sing up or get a form its ace
Oh My God! I LOVED IT! My favorite moment has got to be when Sid tried to make a pot noodle – FROM THE TAP!!! Classic! I really hope they make a second series!
i wont to go on it its sik
Is it possible to sign up for it? Im 13 and i know im too old, but i wanna put my 8 year old sister in it!
Why are none of these comments negative…suspicious?
how do i get on boys and girls alone?
it’s the best ever
They should do another one for teens, see how they get on, it wouldn’t seem as mean (it wasnt mean in the first place but others think it is) probably for 13-15 year olds. It would be a huge hit, loads of people have said this idea so loads of people would like it.
hey there
the names sharna i loved the show by the way but i think youee should preduce a boys & girls alone show were its 13-16 year olds i’d defo sign up for it seein as how im 13 but it would be a laugh for the teens ? xo
i dont think there is much point doin it for 13-16 yr olds coz they already know how to cope without parents because they are already becomin more independent. they should just raise the age 8-13!
i’m 10 years old and i want to be on the next series how do i sign up
i love this show !!
think it would be better if there were older kids on it too !! i would love to go on it !
Both my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Particularly wanted to praise William and his parents. What a fantastic young man, such a sensible head on young shoulders. Surely destined for greatness.
I thought this show was sick and a clear case of sick parents sick producers. horrible all round.
you have never met anyone so how do you know they are horrible? i know t.j and his parents, and actually i think t.j is pretty cool. he also acts in some movies (not exactly famous ones but i reckon he could be one day.
This programme dispalyed appalling bullying and Channel 4 ensured that this would happen through the selection process. Love Productions were irreponsible and used a loophole in the law to ensure this show was made without child protection/licensing issues being addressed. They should be ashamed of their contribution to the life long scars these children will carry
hi im 14 and i loved the show
i was wondering could you make another version for older people 12-15 ish if that were the case then i would definatly sign up
please email me back and give me details 2 sign up.
I love this Program it was very eye opening I would love to appear on it it you made a series about teenagers as I am 13
In response to Ian Hart’s post: Ian, that kind of bullying goes on all the time – whether it’s on TV or not. I remember that and much worse when I was that age. It was realistic and important to show it, as it is a part of kids lives. If the kids were really unhappy, they could have gone home. They weren’t being locked up and told they had to stay.
I love the show actually. It brought back so many good and bad memories of when I was a kid.
I also loved William. He was the sweetest young man. One day he will make some lucky young lady very happy.
We are first year students at university, we would love William to live with us next year as he has been an inspiration to us over the last 4 weeks. If you are reading this William we think you’re a legend and rent will be 75 pounds per week!
I loved this show! Worse bullying and problems go on every day at school and parents cannot be there every second of the day to protect their children. This show was fascinating and could even teach adults about ways to behave in a community. And yes William is amazing! He deserves to have a wonderful life as he is full of goodness.
i think that it is mint
and i really really want to sing up
I think that this show was of course entertaining, and i dont think this can be seen as a negitive thing. As the producer himself pointed out, inorder to educate people you need to entertain them and make them interested in it. I am a teacher and i have to make my lessons entertaining inorder to educate my class. I thought this show was a fantastic idea. Many children these days are entirely incapable of doing things for themselves and this is because their parents just continuously “baby” them. After this show, the children had gained new life skills and then parents had gained the confidence in their children to allow them to more space to do things for themselves. I really enjoyed this programme and thought it was a brilliant idea with endless benifits. Also, i really dont think that it’s in anyway damaging to the children that took part as any of the rows or arguments that took place between the children would happen in the school situation anyway, and are essential in a childs emotional, mental and social development.
I found the show gripping and compelling. If you did a simular thing 40 years ago, the children would be able to have done it hands down.
It is an excellent example the ‘cotton wool’ children left to cater for them selves.
Brilliant series. I don’t understand the complaint, children will be left on their own at some point, they need to make their own decisions. As a boarding school child i saw real sinergy with my own experience and these young children. I also feel I am a better person as a result of my own experience. This is NOT abuse in any way – it’s kids being kids…
truly enjoyed the tv show boys and girls alone and think that it will have helped alot of those children as the parents did not seem to know their children (examples of Charley and Lorna).
I would also like to point out that an almost identical programme was broadcast 7 years ago and there appeared to be less controversy. Was this because this programme not criticised because it was under the title of Cutting Edge and the current series was not. Is it not taken as seriously, if the current series was Cutting edge, would there be the same issues?
Laura Spurgin
Portsmouth (cardiff University)
I really enjoyed ‘Boys and Girls Alone’. The kids fell out, they had their problems, but then they calmed down and formed their developed little societies – and they also showed remarkable insight and some very sweet moments. They were chaperoned, their parents were watching and intervened where they felt it appropriate – what was really going to happen?
And I’m sorry to say that Sue Palmer and Melanie Gill are coming across as patronising and deeply unpleasant in their treatment of the issue – talk about making mountains out of molehills. Stop scare-mongering and try to formulate a decent argument before you leap in and cause chaos with your over-the-top accusations.
I also think you are manipulating some of the clips. once watching the full seris ALL issues are resolved.
I am currently a first year university student, and have two younger siblings and I think that this television program was brilliant, i believe that the children that took part in the series, learnt a lot from their experiences, as well as the parents, that will perhaps help to carry them throughout life. The series strongly portrayed that children do have an opinion, and are capable in certain situations to do things for themselves, without help from parents. I believe that the critics are being far too harsh because at the end of the day, if both the children and parents were comfortable with the results, then why has a big deal been made out of nothing? It’s just pointless debates bought about by the media as a topic to thrive on, and i think it’s wrong! It’s agreed that there were some slightly upsetting situations which the children did have to deal with, and come the end they overcame those situations. It just shows that children are individuals and they all bare different qualities. Those confrontations are what happen within everyday situations in the school playground, what are the critics going to do then, go and stand outside the school gates causing debates with teachers and parents? i don’t think so!
What a good series!
Not really a fuss over nothing. OFCOM and the BPS (British Psychological Society) work together in ethical practise. The abandonment of children is not ethical. I know that sounds extreme, but if you strip it back to the foundations then the parents were leaving their children alone for 2 weeks. in a real life situation that would be considered the act of an awful parent, EVEN if you could guarantee your childs safety (as in this case).
That is not the argument though, the argument is that the ethical guidlines were not followed, and that it could lead to further irresponsible programming. – Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure it was very entertaining and I wish I’d seen more of it. But in media and “science” you cannot break ethical laws no matter how minor as it opens the gates to more severe crimes.
I am a neutral
Hi Stuart,
Thanks for your comment.
With regards to the children who took part in this series, Channel 4 and the producers of Boys and Girls Alone have assured us that the welfare of the children was always of paramount concern to them.
All the children featured had been carefully chosen and screened by appropriately qualified experts to make sure they could cope well with the experience of being in the series. They, along with the parents also had access to expert advice and support during the making of the programme, and after broadcast.
During production of the series, the children lived in a protected environment with around the clock security. Trained child chaperones were present at all times and would intervene to prevent injuries and also help resolve any upset or fighting between the children. As you could see in the programme, the children’s parents were able to watch what was going on and could speak to their children or intercede if they felt it was necessary. They were also free to withdraw their child at any time.
Please watch The TV Show from March 7 which dealt with this issue in full.
Hope that helps to clarify…
I don’t see how the show is child abuse. They wasn’t just on their own they had crew there to help them incase if a child was in danger. Young children cry, but being involved in the programme made them stronger towards the end. It will do young children good to experience what those children did for the better in the future. I’m 15 myself and picking towards my careers, and independence will help when you’re going off to college and leaving home in the near future for the first time on your own.
Child abuse – what a load of rubbish. These so called professionals need to spend more time looking at real child abuse, and get that right and stop innocent children being abused and killed.! Did any child die on the programme – NO they didn’t and at the end of it all, if the children and parents came out of it happy then nothing else matters. If this programme potentially contributes to long term problems in these kids then god help the rest of the worlds children living in a world/society like we do today. I believe it was an opportunity to give these kids encouragement and the confidence to move on to do other things in life that some of us have never had !
can i plzz have a form to go on the nxt sereis?
i reli enjoyed it, i want to be on there, that Charlie was bossy tho
i think boys and girls alone was really good … i wish that i could go on it (im 11 ) any way i hope they do a new series of it … that would be cool !
i LOVED boys and girls alone … i would love to be able to go on it … how do i sign up ?
i would love to be on the show the person that said it was a sick show is stupit I WOULD LOVE TO BE ON IT !!!
im 11 how do you sigh up plz send me a form !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I WOULD LOVE TO BE ON THE SHOW it is so funny and fun to whach im 11 how do you sigh up plz send me a form!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i love the show it is so fun to wach i recored every episod and that is what every one talked about at school aspull church im 11 and really wantt to go on the show but i dont know how u sigh up plz send me aform!!!! I LOVE BOY AND GIRLS ALONG
lol that kid that was like are u two having S E X was a legend if ur twelve are u too old to go on it cuz i really want to. i found some of the kids on ther so irritating i dont know why seriously tho i really wanna go on can u like send me an application or something if im the right age (12)
I think William is the most adorable little boy ever, his parents must be very proud, so bright and sensible with social skills too! He’s amazing!
boys and girls alone is the best ever show. i htink you should put the same people back in then add 5 more girls and boys. i also think that you should make a show 12-14. if you put a 15 or 16 year old in they would no what to do.
can someone tell me why people are saying this is child abuse. They should make a series during the winter. See how different a child reacts to winter compared to summer
someone tell me how to sign up(12 years old)
how can u watch boys n girls alone online.
If there are any struggling farmers out there this show is the inspiration for the formation of a brilliant franchiseable business; several acres of secure and diverse countryside with hidden cctv cameras and a team of hands off chaperons, just in case. Parents could visit the viewing room in the evenings or have a secure log on at work the possibilities are endless with this concept and also would be so beneficial to children as we adults can really screw up our kids heads at times they need to be allowed to make mistakes and have accidents like we did in the 70’s.
IS THERE GOING 2 BE ANOTHER SERIES????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
im 11 I would like to be on the show were cani get an application form?
please contact me if you know!
Please Can You Send Me An Application For Boys And Girls Alone Series 2, I Turned Twelve In December. A Good Idea Would Makae It 12 To 14 Because Older Boys And Girls Know What There Going To do
hey
i love boys and girls alone but there should be one for children age 13-16 i would defentley sign up for it and im pretty much sure that other teens would sign as well x
I watched the programme and think that it was the most entertaining programme ive watched in ages. Its really refreshing and innocent to watch children left to their own devices in a safe environment. i think that the boys were so funny and i think mathew and william should have their own show when there older. i couldnt get over how funny they are.
Heyy x
I watched the documentary and i didnt think it was really fair because there was a bit of bullying and stuff.
BUT- teenagers can sort problems out better and it would be more entertaining. Maybe 12-15’s?
Im 13 and tbh i would really like to go on a programme like this one but more big-brother-like.
ESPECIALLY if a cute guy that just so happens to look like Lil Chris comes on. Yepp, id sign up straight away.
xD
I LOVE BOYS AND GIRLS ALONE. Im an 11 year old girl nd i REALLLLLY want to go on but unfortunatley they havent dont another series D: BUT PLEASE PLEASE PLEAASEEE DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i really enjoyed the show and hope they do another series because i would love to go on it and have as much fun as they did!!!! if you are thinking of making another series please send me an aplication form! phoebe xxx
i am 12 but if the age limit was raised a little i would love love love it to be able to go on the sho!!! phoebe xxxxxx
Hi everyone and thanks for all your comments – it’s great to hear that you enjoyed the series so much.
Unfortunately for those of you who said you’d like to have taken part, there are currently no plans to make a second series of Boys and Girls Alone.
Sorry!
I think its great i would love to go on the show myself
hello , im bradley i love this show and if i was picked to go on this show it would be a laugh with me because all my only mate ryan said i always make him laugh plus i do need a trip from home . im 11 years old too !
please can i come on the show ive always wanted to go on ever since it came on i also think its a great show i want to go on
pleas emake loads of series and send me a email if i can go on please
i think there should definitely be a second series, all the kids learnt valuable life lessons in the first series and surely this show is show is a positive in the modern day community. Furthermore “Boys and Girls Alone” was the single most entertaining television show ever to appear on our tv screens at home.
the girls are good i want to be in boys and girls alone it be class to see it
i think they should do a teenagers one. cause who expects little n’s to cook and look after money. i think a teenagers one should be done with the real life babies that would be good i’d love to be on it .
it good to wach i love it like to see it
I really loved this show:) i am 11….. is this show going to be on again if it is how do you get on it
i went to go on the show you can make that come turth
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