With extravagant parties, petty family drama and unfathomable fame and fortune on show, it’s no surprise that Keeping Up With The Kardashians (KUWTK) is a guilty pleasure for many.
But is it the best reality TV series to show your kids?
According to new research, maybe not.
A new study suggests that watching “materialistic media” shows, like KUWTK, could make viewers less understanding and sympathetic to people from a low socioeconomic background.
“If there is more emphasis on materialism as a way to be happy, this makes us more inclined to be selfish and anti-social, and therefore unsympathetic to people less fortunate,” study author Rodolfo Leyva explained in a statement.
Put simply, seeing glimpses of Kylie Jenner’s gobsmaking shoe collection and Kim Kardashian’s multiple houses on KUWTK can actually have a negative impact on how you feel about poor people and even how you feel about welfare payments.
Watch: The Kardashians are all about extravagance. Take a look at Kylie Jenner’s easter party.
In the new study, findings stated that even just a minute of exposure to materialistic media like KUWTK can have a negative impact on how people perceive people from a lower socioeconomic background.
“Results suggest that momentary exposure to and regular consumption of materialistic media messages induces stronger materialism and anti-welfare attitudes,” Dr Leyva said.
So how do this all impact kids?
Although the study didn’t involve children, the results found from studying 487 UK adults do indicate how children could be impacted by watching shows like KUWTK and The Real Housewives series’.
As younger people have a harder time separating reality and reality television, they’re even more impressionable than adults.
There’s also growing research that young people are easily influenced by the behaviours portrayed on reality television, leading some to imitate problematic behaviours.
Listen: Khloe Kardashian gave tips on how to make yourself look thin AF. And yes, it’s problematic.
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Another study completed in 2015 also found that reality shows can even influence how people choose to spend their money.
The 15th season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians begins on Monday, August 6.
What do you think? Do you let your kids watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians?
Top Comments
It's a no brainer, isn't it? Why would anyone think kids could watch it is beyond me. I also think, wouldn't is just be boring (I know I was bored the few times I glimpsed it at the gym and wondered why anyone would want to watch it in the first place).
This show and others like it have absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever for viewers, children or otherwise.