A controversial British reality show, 'Boys and Girls Alone', featured a social experiment where 20 children, specifically 10 boys and 10 girls, aged 11 and 12, were isolated in two separate houses without any adult supervision. This radical format aimed to test the limits of social behavior and ethics in television programming during an era when reality shows were pushing moral boundaries. The children were provided with essential supplies, including food, money, toys, and cleaning products, but were told that a crew would only intervene in case of emergency.

The experiment sparked significant ethical discussions regarding the welfare of children in television productions, as it raised questions about parental consent, the potential for psychological impact, and the responsibilities of producers towards young participants. The lack of adult presence meant that the children had to learn to navigate social dynamics, problem-solving, and conflict resolution on their own, all of which were monitored and recorded for broadcast on Channel 4.

Overall, the show elicited mixed reactions; while some praised it for its unique premise and insight into child socialization, others criticized it for being exploitative and potentially harmful. This experiment not only brought children's unsupervised interactions to the forefront but also ignited debates about the ethical considerations inherent in reality television.