Age: Viewers, Fanbase, Age-appropriateness

The Dumping Ground airs on the CBBC channel which is aimed at children aged 6-12 and therefore the show is written and produced to be appropriate to this age range. However the reality is that the fanbase for this is show is much broader. It is popular with teenagers and adults many of whom have grown up watching the show and the earlier series in the Tracy Beaker franchise over the past 17 years. It is very much a family show, suitable for all generations to watch together, with the issues and storylines appealing to older audiences as well as children. The show addresses many important issues including homelessness, immigration, gay adoption, bullying, crime, bereavement, puberty, mental health and living with a disability. The writers, producers and directors ensure that these issues are explored in a way that is age appropriate for its core viewers and therefore the issues are not as explored as deeply as would be expected in an adult drama.

Over time The Dumping Ground has evolved into a more teen focused drama, appealing to a wider audience, than in earlier series. This reflects that fact that CBBC is expanding into the 13-16 age range and wants to encourage shows that include teens and also the reality that the cast are growing up and rather than having these teen actors leave the show, their characters can develop and grow as well. Most of the cast members are currently aged 14-18+ and play characters aged around 12-16. The youngest characters are currently Sid and Taz, with Sid being 10 years old and the assumption being Taz is of a similar age. Both characters are played by actors aged 11 at the time series 7 was filmed. In comparison, in Series 1 there were much younger characters in the form of Floss (played by Sarah Rayson who was 7 at the time) and Harry (played by Phillip Graham Scott then aged 10). Despite the character ages increasing the show is still appropriate for primarily 6-12 year old viewers and the use of animations helps make the show more accessible to younger viewers and explain some of the more complex feelings and emotions of the characters.

As is often the case with children's programmes there is ongoing debate regarding the age appropriateness of the programme. A quick browse on Mumsnet shows that there are many parents who are not keen on their younger children (generally under 10) watching the Dumping Ground and other series within the Tracy Beaker franchise. Many blame characters such as Tracy Beaker and the pranks and bad behaviour shown throughout the franchise for bad behaviour exhibited by their children. It is of course up to each parent to decide what is suitable for their child and every child with be influenced by TV programmes in different ways. It's my personal opinion that most of the negative views of TDG and the rest of Tracy Beaker franchise are coming from parents who have misjudged the programme and have not taken the time to watch the programme properly themselves.

It is so important that children aren't wrapped in cotton wool and can watch programmes that explore real life issues in an appropriate way. The reality is that any bad behaviour on the show, is no worse than anything a child would see in other TV shows or in real life at school. Not to mention, in most cases the DG kids are suitably punished or see the error of their ways. The benefits of a children's programme that acts as a vehicle to explore and discuss real issues with children, in my view, far outweighs any potential negative impacts of seeing children at times misbehaving. So many children go through traumatic events such as bereavements, bullying, living in care, etc and seeing characters on tv going through similar circumstances is surely a positive for them, helping them feel less alone and isolated by their experiences, providing a vehicle to discuss such experiences and issues with adults and peers and also help increase empathy of children who haven't experienced such issues themselves.