An 11-year-old girl in the UAE has been hospitalized after experiencing severe bullying during a reality show. The distressing ordeal has sparked outrage among citizens and raised concerns about the impact of such programs on young participants.
Key Takeaways
- An 11-year-old girl, Maryam Al Shehhi, collapsed after being bullied on a reality show.
- The bullying occurred during a children’s design competition, leading to her hospitalization.
- The incident has drawn significant public criticism and prompted an official apology from the show’s producers.
The Distressing Incident
Maryam Al Shehhi, a bright and talented student known for her academic achievements, was invited to participate in a children’s design competition sponsored by a major international fashion retailer. However, the filming experience turned traumatic when the crew instigated bullying among the contestants.
According to her aunt, Aysha Al Shahhi, the filming took place from August 6 to 11, with episodes airing shortly after. During the shoot, Maryam was isolated from the other participants, and the crew asked leading questions that encouraged negative sentiments towards her.
Escalation of Bullying
The situation escalated when the mothers of other contestants joined in, openly criticizing Maryam and labeling her a hypocrite. This public humiliation continued after the show aired, as classmates began to ridicule her, calling her names and sharing clips from the program.
Maryam’s family remained silent during her week-long stay in the ICU, but the bullying became unbearable when the other mothers went live, further attacking her character.
Health Consequences
The relentless bullying took a toll on Maryam’s health. Aysha described the heartbreaking moment when Maryam collapsed, noting that her blood acidity and sugar levels spiked due to her Type 1 diabetes. In just one week, she lost 5 kg, leading to her hospitalization.
After her release, the family decided to keep Maryam away from social media, and her school cooperated by allowing her to pursue distance learning to protect her from further bullying.
Public Outcry and Response
The incident has garnered significant attention from the UAE community, with many citizens expressing outrage over the show’s handling of the situation. The Emirates Media Council has announced that it is actively investigating the bullying incident.
In response to the public outcry, the production team issued an official apology to the UAE community, acknowledging that the content aired was inappropriate and contradicted Emirati culture. They expressed their regret to Maryam and her family, wishing her a swift recovery and promising to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Importance of Parental Guidance
Hanadi Al Yafei, Director-General of the Child Safety Department, emphasized the crucial role parents play in guiding their children’s participation in media programs. She urged parents to be vigilant when selecting shows for their children and to monitor their online activities to protect them from potential bullying and harmful behaviors.
Al Yafei stated, "We must support and nurture children’s talents, guiding them in the right direction. Parents play a key role in recognizing their children’s abilities and encouraging them to join programs that reflect positive social values."
Conclusion
The distressing case of Maryam Al Shehhi serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of reality television for young participants. As the community rallies around her, it highlights the need for greater accountability in media productions and the importance of safeguarding children from bullying and emotional distress.