The Kardashians: Next Gen premieres on Hulu

1. Commercial success and continuation of family IP

Ratings guarantee: The Kardashian family laid the foundation of the reality show empire through "Keeping Up with the Kardashians". The new show will turn the focus to the next generation (such as North West, Penelope Disick, etc.), using the audience's curiosity about the growth of "second-generation stars" to continue the IP value. Hulu's high ratings prove that even if public opinion is controversial, the public's demand for this type of "cultivation system" content is still strong.

Commercial linkage effect: The program provides an implicit promotion platform for other family businesses (such as beauty brands SKIMS and Kylie Cosmetics), forming a closed loop of "reality show exposure-social media hot discussion-commercial realization".

2. The core contradiction of the children's privacy dispute

Exploitation or autonomous choice? : Critics cite the spirit of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), arguing that long-term exposure of minors in front of the camera may affect their psychological development (such as North West's controversial social media behavior was amplified). Supporters say that these children are "born in front of the camera" and that the family is capable of providing protection.

Comparative case: Former child stars such as Macaulay Culkin (Home Alone) publicly opposed premature exposure after adulthood, while Beyoncé's daughter Blue Ivy participated in performing activities under the strict control of her parents. The Kardashian family chose the "full transparency" model, which has both risks and benefits.

3. The evolution of reality shows in the social media era

From editing narratives to fragmented dissemination: Traditional reality shows rely on dramatic editing, while new shows are directly linked to family members' TikTok and Instagram content (such as North West's dance videos) to form a cross-platform narrative. This "no-dead-angle exposure" further blurs the boundaries between public and private.

Moral scrutiny of Generation Z audiences: Young audiences are more sensitive to the issue of "child exploitation", but are also addicted to this kind of "intimacy" consumption. The proportion of 18-34 year-olds in Hulu's ratings may reflect this contradictory mentality.

4. Industry impact and regulatory gaps

The lack of ethical standards for reality shows: Currently, the United States' regulations on children's participation in reality shows mainly rely on parental judgment. California's "Child Labor Law" only limits working hours and does not involve privacy rights. France has enacted law in 2022 to ban children under 16 from appearing in reality shows, and the United States has no similar measures.

Producer's responsibility avoidance: Hulu transfers risks through the "parental supervision" clause, but psychological research shows that performative behavior in front of the camera may distort children's self-perception (refer to the 2019 study of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry).

5. Future trend prediction

Short-term: Controversy will continue, but the family may ease public pressure through "limited exposure" (such as only showing "positive content" such as education and talent).

Long-term: If North West and other next generations openly oppose the show when they grow up (similar to the accusation in Jennette McCurdy's memoir "I'm Glad My Mom Died"), it may trigger industry reflection. At present, this "Kardashian model" is still a typical case of traffic economy.

Conclusion

The Kardashian family's strategy of transforming reality shows into intergenerational wealth can be called a media spectacle, but children such as North West are both participants and "commodities" in the show. This contradiction has become more acute in the digital age. The program may need a clearer ethical framework rather than relying solely on the market logic of "the audience votes with their feet."