Girls lose in Kard game
I WAS invited to the highbrow Saatchi Gallery this week to celebrate the anniversary of a global cultural phenomenon.
It was an “unmissable” chance to immerse myself in the world of one family who have changed our social history.
Or, to put it another way, come and raise a glass to Kim Kardashian’s arse and a decade of Keeping Up with her klan.
Yes, the infamous reality show hit our TV screens in 2007 and this historic anniversary is being marked in typically OTT style.
Scores of young superfans of Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall, Kylie, Kris and ko flocked to the trendy Chelsea gallery to venerate their idols with “ultimate selfies”, make-up masterclasses and to hear messages from the girls.
Millions more will tune in to the E! channel for a 90-minute anniversary special tomorrow night. Now, I thought about going along for a giggle and to gawp at the ridiculous spectacle.
But there’s a darker side to Kardashian worship and social media obsession which is no laughing matter.
New research shows one in four girls aged 14 are suffering from depression – due to school pressures, bullying and body image worries.
That’s DOUBLE the number 12 years ago and, say children’s charities, evidence that mental ill health among kids is reaching crisis point while services are chronically underfunded. The number of child and adolescent psychiatrists is falling too, despite pledges by Theresa May to offer more help. And a separate survey by Girlguiding shows how gender stereotyping is shutting down opportunities for girls and lowering their aspirations.
They feel pressured to alter their behaviour because TV, film and social media shows them how females “should” behave. More than half said those factors influence what they wear, how they act around other girls, what sports they play and what they study.
But, most disturbingly of all, it also affects their ability to say what they really think.
Disasters
And older girls complained that their parents don’t understand the pressures they face so they seek help and advice... on social media.
Now when I was a Guide in the 1970s I worried about acne, fat thighs, my National Health specs, being rubbish at PE and not having a boyfriend.
But I didn’t have an iPhone bombarding me 24/7 with pictures of reality TV stars with glowing Komplexions, airbrushed thighs and designer sunglasses doing yoga and marrying millionaire rap stars.
So after school I’d hang out with pals moaning about zits, specs, cellulite, gym disasters and lack of snogs until I felt better.
Today’s parents must tune in to the damage being done to their daughters by the unreality of social media and see how it’s holding them back.
Because we want our girls to be reaching for their own dreams – not simply keeping up with the Kardashians. ROGER Moore’s daughter Deborah recently told me her dad NEVER refused fans an autograph or photo.
The late Bond legend happily stopped in the street or restaurants, telling impatient aides “No, these are the people who put me here.” That’s proper star quality.
This week Benedict Cumberbatch moaned about finding “500 f****** people with their cameras out” watching him on location, although he admitted it forced him to focus harder and be “a better actor”. Maybe, but less of a star to me. Because Sherlock fans had to pay £75 for a photo with him at a summer film event. He posed for 3,190 in two days, netting £239,250, although it’s unclear what his cut was Sir Roger would surely have raised an eyebrow at that. Because Benedict is sitting on a £25million fortune – and the fans who put him there deserve better.