Are item songs and adult music pushing kids to mature early?

“I had a client who had gone for auditions for some dance reality show in the past. The girl started creating an image of the body that every girl should have and, at the young age of 7, she used to put paper balls on her chest to show enhanced breasts which are not there in kids,” Riddhi Doshi Patel, a Mumbai-based child psychologist and parenting counsellor, shares her experience with India Today.
Many parents and adults today don’t see any harm in kids performing dance routines or singing along to lyrics that are clearly inappropriate for their age. Often, adults overlook this when such songs are played at home or during parties, not considering the potential impact it may have on children.
What needs to be understood is that this casual exposure can profoundly affect a child’s understanding of what’s appropriate and blur the lines between what’s suitable for their age and what isn’t.
Patel says, “Some music and songs can be inappropriate for children, especially if they contain themes like violence, drugs, sex, profanity, or devaluing others. Children might start imitating those songs even without understanding.”
She further states that when their cognitive function develops, at a certain point, they will start asking about the diction in those songs.
Now, if parents cannot provide appropriate answers, kids will ask their friends or other people and may receive inappropriate information, which is the concerning part as the information and stimulation both at a young age are inappropriate.
It may lead to the normalisation of attitudes or actions that they do not fully understand or that conflict with their developmental stage.
“I feel appalled seeing young children performing and showing vulgar gestures and the adults find it cute. There’s nothing cute about it. It’s harming the emotional health of the child at a young age even without the child realising it. I have often seen that parents who had a wish to perform on stage and couldn’t do it for multiple reasons, try to live their dreams through their children without understanding or thinking whether it’s age-appropriate or not,” adds Patel.
Reena Chopra, a Bhubaneswar-based child psychologist and founder of Saarholisticwellness.com, mentions that children are highly impressionable, and music with mature themes can negatively influence their perception of the world.
“Exposure to such songs can blur their understanding of boundaries, de-sensitise them to inappropriate content, and encourage behaviours they may not be emotionally equipped to handle. Additionally, it can challenge their ability to distinguish between reality and fiction, impacting their moral development,” she tells us.
We live in an age where everything is available online and without the right parental control, even kids can access it.
Sumalatha Vasudeva, psychologist, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Bengaluru, feels that social media and the easy access to diverse content certainly play a role, as they provide platforms where kids can discover and share music without adult oversight.
“Some parents may approach parenting casually due to a variety of factors, such as personal beliefs, a desire for flexibility, or an emphasis on independence. They might prioritise fostering a relaxed environment over strict rules, believing that it promotes creativity and self-reliance in their children. However, this approach can lead to challenges if not balanced with guidance and support,” shares the expert.
Due to this easy access, children may encounter inappropriate content accidentally or through popular trends they want to participate in, or maybe through peers.
Often, adults play trendy chartbusters, sometimes even ‘item songs’ with vulgar words on the speaker to see their tiny tot just shake a leg on the beats. This, unknowingly, exposes the child to inappropriate words, language and gestures.
While it’s important for kids to explore and express themselves creatively, guidance is essential to help them understand and navigate the themes they encounter.

When it comes to online content, parental control is very important (Photo: Getty Images)

Reena Chopra shares that parental control is crucial in managing children’s exposure to inappropriate music and media. However, some parents take a more casual approach, either due to a lack of awareness about the content their child is consuming or because they underestimate the long-term psychological effects.
At times, parents may also feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content available, making it difficult to monitor everything their child encounters.
“Parents often take these issues lightly because they realise that in order to limit their children’s screen time, they must also limit their own. With the level of mobile and internet addiction amongst adults, it becomes challenging for them to stay away from their own devices,” adds Dr Sarthak Dave, an Ahmedabad-based psychiatrist.
Parents often feel pressured to keep up with their peers by buying gadgets for their kids, while at other times, they resort to screens simply as a quick fix to keep their children calm. However, by doing so, they unknowingly expose their kids to content prematurely, contributing to Gen Alpha’s accelerated maturity.
According to Riddhi Doshi Patel, social media platforms often portray unrealistic body images and lifestyles. For children, this can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, or depression, especially if they don’t understand that much of what they see is curated or altered.
“Parental control isn’t just about restricting access, but also about helping kids make informed decisions as they grow older. Over time, this empowers them to self-regulate and make healthier choices,” she adds.
The impact of inappropriate content in music on a child can vary depending on their developmental stage, personality, family environment, and the frequency or intensity of exposure.
“Repeated exposure to negative messages can affect self-esteem and body image,” Sumalatha Vasudeva goes on to mention.
To this, Dr Sarthak Dave adds, “Mental health effects can include decrease in focus and concentration, increased stress, pressure to conform to unrealistic societal norms, and emotional instability.”
It’s vital to understand that children are not cognitively equipped to understand or process these themes, leading to confusion about relationships, sexuality, or morality.
Because of such exposure, they may become de-sensitised to the gravity of issues like sexual exploitation, aggression, or substance abuse.

Songs and actions that aren’t age-appropriate can impact a child’s mental health (Photo: Getty Images)

“Songs that promote violence or aggressive behaviour may de-sensitise children to such actions, making them less sensitive to others’ feelings and more prone to conflict. Social skills might also get impacted, and peer pressure might lead to severe anxious moments,” adds Riddhi Doshi Patel.
As per Reena Chopra, exposure to mature content can accelerate the loss of innocence and lead children to adopt behaviours and attitudes that are typically reserved for adolescents or adults.
This ‘premature adulthood’ can put pressure on their social and emotional development, making them less likely to enjoy age-appropriate activities and more prone to stress or behavioural issues.
Sumalatha Vasudeva agrees, “There’s a concern that such content can accelerate emotional and social development, causing kids to confront adult themes before they’re ready.”
Riddhi Doshi Patel shares her take, “Kids exposed to mature content might display adult-like behaviour, but emotionally they are still children. This emotional mismatch can create confusion, frustration, and difficulty in regulating their emotions. They might have difficulty maintaining a stable identity and being a child, as they might feel pressure to act as an adult, which certainly takes a toll on the mental and emotional health of the child.”
“It’s important to encourage children to engage in non-digital activities, such as outdoor sports or reading. If they do consume media, parents should be fully aware of what they’re watching or listening to, ensuring that it is age-appropriate,” feels Dr Sarthak Dave.
Parents should also discuss the content their children are exposed to, and hellp them understand why certain themes may not be appropriate.
Additionally, Patel mentions that several music streaming services offer parental controls that allow parents to restrict access to explicit content. Parents can activate these settings to block songs labelled as containing explicit language.

Setting boundaries and open communication always help (Photo: Getty Images)

It is also necessary to encourage children to listen to music without using earphones when at home, especially in common spaces. This allows parents to be aware of what their child is listening to and to step in if necessary.
Apart from this, open discussion always helps. Parents should engage in regular discussions about music and its theme. They can ask about the songs their kids listen to and share thoughts on the lyrics.
Parents should also take a step to set clear boundaries. Establish rules about the kind of music that is acceptable and explain the reasoning behind these guidelines.
Next time you walk into a child’s birthday party and see a group of 8-10 year-olds dancing enthusiastically to songs like ‘Aaj Ki Raat’, ‘Taras’, and ‘Oo Antava’, how will you react?
If you picked the second option, you’re likely concerned about the appropriateness of the situation. However, if you chose the first, it might be time for reflection.