DADDY may not always know best.

Head of the psychology department and associate professor of Help University College, Dr Albert Liau, says signing up children for beauty contests is as good as embarking on a slippery slope.

"There can be positive and negative effects of child modelling or talent. It all depends on why the parent has enrolled the child in it.

"If explained and used moderately, it may act to boost the confidence of the child.

"However, it is a slippery slope as there are some negative effects that are detrimental to the child.
"It may teach the child that his or her own self worth is based on her looks or talent and her parents' love is dependent on her performing well."

Liau says a child may get dependent on the positive affirmations she receives from these contests rather than developing her own self-esteem.

Being put in a competition also places stress on the child, Liau says, as physical qualities are often judged and these are also attributes that are beyond the control of the child.

Should there be a minimum age for child talent?

"It's hard to put a number to the age that a parent can adhere to as we are talking about emotional readiness and maturity.

"What a parent can do is to realistically assess their child as to whether she is ready to be put in such a vulnerable position."

Liau says parents should think whether it is really benefiting their child.

"They should also emphasise to the child that it doesn't matter whether he or she wins or the photo gets used and that the child should just enjoy the experience."