Exploitation of kids by talent agencies must stop

The debut of Panda Boys on stage in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Friday, has triggered a furious debate on social networking platforms, not least because the boys were dressed like adults and even performed like adults when their average age is only 8 years, with the youngest being just 7.

As the debate raged online, Asia Starry Sky, the agency in charge of the group, changed the group's name from Panda Boys－The Idol Group to Panda Boys－The Child Art Group.

However, the name change means little considering that the children performed like adults on their debut, which the entertainment media was invited to cover.

For some years now, entertainment companies have been eyeing children as potential sources of profit. By arranging the necessary capital to promote a child, or a group of children, who they believe has the "potential" to become a "star", they use all sorts of means to influence the audiences and build up an army of fans and make lots of money.

The boys themselves benefit little from all this. It is the entertainment companies that get loads of publicity and make huge amounts of money before looking to "groom" the next "potential star".

The boys get some attention and a small amount of money before quietly fading out in their late teens. But since by then, they miss their primary and secondary school studies and cannot possibly complete even their basic education, it suddenly appears like the end of the road for them.

That's why the culture departments are against allowing very young children to enter the entertainment industry, and the National Radio and Television Administration has banned online talent shows that include minors.

The company behind Panda Boys has challenged the rule. Therefore, the authorities should plug all the legal loopholes so unscrupulous companies cannot exploit them to make profits.