Ahmedabad: A recent episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati featuring a young contestant from Gujarat has triggered a major debate across social media platforms. The fifth grader’s spirited interaction with host Amitabh Bachchan — perceived by some as “rude” — has polarised the internet, with opinions sharply divided between those calling it disrespectful and others defending the child’s natural spontaneity.
The controversy has gone beyond the child’s behaviour, spilling over into an intense debate on parenting styles, societal expectations, and the public’s quickness to judge.
Internet divided over child’s behaviour
The contestant’s responses during the show were seen by a section of viewers as impolite, while others believed the child was simply confident and outspoken. Soon after the episode aired, social media was flooded with reactions, memes, and heated arguments.
Unfortunately, as is often the case online, the criticism turned personal. The child’s parents became the subject of trolling, with many accusing them of poor upbringing — based entirely on a few minutes of televised footage.
Why children behave the way they do
According to child psychologist Dr Sushma Gopalan, both temperament and environment play vital roles in shaping a child’s behaviour.
“Some children are naturally bold and outspoken, while others are shy and reserved. Parenting, social modelling, and emotional coaching determine how these traits are expressed in public,” she explained.
Dr Gopalan emphasised that a confident child on a public platform like KBC might simply be showing their natural personality rather than bad manners or upbringing.
Unrealistic expectations from parents
While parenting certainly influences a child’s behaviour, experts say expecting parents to have absolute control is both unrealistic and unfair.
“Even the most well-brought-up child can act out when anxious, tired, or overwhelmed,” Dr Gopalan said. “Children are still learning how to regulate emotions and pick up cues not just from parents, but also from peers, teachers, and media influences.”
A brief moment of defiance or nervous energy, she adds, should not become a public trial of one’s parenting style.
When nerves look like confidence
Being on a show like Kaun Banega Crorepati can be nerve-wracking even for adults. For a ten-year-old, the experience can easily amplify stress.
“What may appear as overconfidence or arrogance could actually be a coping mechanism,” Dr Gopalan explained. “Children often perform emotions to protect themselves when they feel anxious.”
The child’s behaviour, therefore, might have stemmed from excitement or nervousness, not from deliberate impoliteness.
The myth of ‘perfect parenting’
Social media often equates “good parenting” with children who are quiet, obedient, and flawlessly polite in public. But, as Dr Gopalan pointed out, real growth happens through mistakes, not perfection.
“Parenting is a long journey filled with struggles and learning moments that outsiders rarely see. Judging it from a few seconds of screen time is unfair,” she said.
The backlash and what it reveals about us
While the child’s behaviour raised eyebrows, the public backlash revealed much about society’s own biases.
“Our culture still prizes humility and obedience over emotional authenticity,” Dr Gopalan noted. “We tend to value how children appear more than how they feel.”
Online trolling, particularly against children, can have serious consequences. Experts warn that such criticism can damage a child’s self-esteem, create emotional distress, and affect the entire family.
The takeaway
Every child — and parent — deserves room to make mistakes and grow. Turning a few seconds of television into a moral referendum on parenting may reflect society’s own lack of empathy more than a child’s supposed misbehaviour.
Perhaps it’s not just the young contestants who need lessons in humility and emotional intelligence — but all of us who rush to judge from behind our screens.