DANISH TV show Ultra Strips Down has come under fire for allowing children as young as 11 to quiz a line-up of stark-naked adults.
The programme’s premise sees schoolchildren aged 11 to 13 grilling five males and females of different shapes, sizes and body gripes.
They arrive on-stage donning beige robes before revealing all in scenes which some have branded “disgusting’ and others bluntly stated are “child exploitation.”
After standing naked in front of the youngsters, perched on a series of stairs, they are asked about their figures, including the specific question: “Are you pleased with your private parts?”
Other topics have included pubic hair growth and body confidence.
Yet fans have reacted angrily on Twitter despite show creator Jannick Schow insisting the format fosters body positivity.
One viewer took to Twitter to rage: “We have a problem with Cuties [Netflix series], but it’s okay for a 35 year old man to expose his p*** to 11 year olds? #ultrastripsdown.”
Another put: “The tv production company knows exactly that this will create shock and reaction, which is precisely why they came up with the idea, to generate audience through provocation, using children. How is that not child exploitation? #ultrastripsdown #ultrasmidertoejet.”
One then simply posted: “UltraStripsDown is disgusting.”
One Twitter user then fought the corner of the Danish series, which scooped the best children’s programme of 2019 award at the Danish TV Festival and wrote: “Although a bit shocking for many, the premise that this is what normal bodies look like is awesome.”
Speaking of his controversial series, filmed at a studio in Copenhagen, Jannick has told the New York Times: “Perhaps some people are like, “Oh, my God, they are combining nakedness and kids”.
“But this has nothing to do with sex, it’s about seeing the body as natural, the way kids do.
“Ninety percent of the bodies you see on social media are perfect, but that is not how 90 percent of the world looks.
“We have extra fat, or hair, or pimples. We want to show children from an early age that this is fine.”
Meanwhile 13-year-old participant Ida Engelhardt Gundersen, added: “I’m not used to seeing volunteers butt-naked and asking them questions.
“But we learned about the body and about how other people feel about their bodies.”
All parents had to consent to their children appearing on the programme.
Producers have also stressed the youngsters are continually asked if they feel comfortable enough to continue filming.
Most read in Drama
Back on home turf, the series still faces a backlash.
Danish right-wing politician Peter Skaarup dubbed the series a “vulgar way” of teaching sex education.
He added it was “far too early for children” and kids “already have many things running around in their heads.”