Little Girl Lost: More than 600 people ignore lost child in TV experiment

In a social experiment for a TV documentary 616 people were filmed walking past two young girls, who were left alone in a London shopping centre. Seven-year-old Uma Rumsey and her sister, Maya, who's five, were taken to Victoria Place shopping centre, next to Victoria Station. They were left alone separately - but with tight security around them - obviously alone and looking in need of help. The cameras recorded men and women clearly seeing them - and ignoring them. A total of 616 adults passed them by in just one hour. The one person who did finally ask Maya if she needed help did so only after doubling back and making sure the child was alone. She was Pearl Pitcher, who said: "I was very hesitant to come and ask her, but I thought I must come back - just in case. I think the older generation would stop, but very cautiously, a bit like I was". A spokesman for the NSPCC said: "We have got to get a message out to adults that they have a responsibility to protect children and that must supersede any concern you have for other people's perception of why you are reaching out to help that child". The experiment, which was to test the public's reaction to lost children, was carried out for a programme by ITN Productions on Channel 5, called "Little Girl Lost: A Police 5 Special", which will air on Tuesday 25th March at 6.30pm. Report by Lauren Hood.

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[dolaneditcompilations]

I remember when I was 11, I found a little girl lost in the mall. I helped her find her parents and it was the best feeling in the world!

[SepherStar]

If you are a man and see a child who looks like they might need help, and you are afraid to approach for fear of being labeled a pedophile, you should ask a woman to see if the child needs help, or just call the police.

[danelicker]

The people passing her probably assume her parent is nearby because the girl was so calm. Lost kids are usually scared, crying, or frantic and will ask for help.

[lexecutive]

Although she’s really calm, it’s kind of true...when I was lost in an airport once, I tried to look as if nothing had happened and that my parents would find me. But, it truly is hard sometimes to determine whether a child is lost or not. Big tip: if you’re ever lost, don’t move or go anywhere far because it will increase the chances of you not accidentally missing your parents.

[LibertyWarrior]

I saw a little boy lost in a mall, I ask him if he was lost, he was very distressed. I took him to a store and told the manager to keep him there while I look for his mother. I walked up and down the mall and looked for a distressed mother, I found her. I asked if she lost a little boy, and told her where to find him.

I have two girls, when they were younger, I had hawk eyes and never let them out of my sight.

[speckleddust]

the only reason I don't try to help little kids if they look lost, is bc one time when I was at school, I saw a little girl on the playground crying for her mom, so I asked her if she was lost and she said "yeah. I can't find my mommy." so I took her hand and told her that I would take her to the main office and they could help her find her mom. then, just a few seconds after we start walking, the mother comes out of no where and comes to me and starts to yell at me. like "WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH MY DAUGHTER?!" and "DONT TOUCH HER!" and "WHAT WERE YOU GOING TO DO TO HER, HUH?!" I tried to explain to her that she was lost and looking for her, and I was only trying to help her out, but the mother wouldn't even let me get one word in. ever since then, I just ignore them cause I'm afraid something like that might happen again. But not bc I'm cold hearted.

[nightmare]

"Not falling for that gypsy trick lol"

[Venisor]

She didn't seem that scared to me. If I would have seen her, I would have guessed she was just hanging out, waiting for her parents or something. Maybe if she was crying I would have stopped to see if she was OK. But I would have never guessed that she was lost if I would have been there, so I'm not surprised 600 people ignored her.

[Chandlerccc]

They ignored them because they weren't crying or anything, so they just thought everything was fine. I think...

[kimjongun]

me: aww poor little girl i should help her!
social anxiety: lmao no

[juniorlafo]

Some selfish people out there man.
If I saw a child lost I would help.
1 like if you would do the same.
Just sad😢

[sparklezaj]

when i was 4 or 5 i was at the store with my mom and i lost her, and couldn't find her. i stood in the middle of the main isle crying, and so many people just walked right past me. finally an older woman stopped and helped me find my mom. this is a sad world we live in.

[dannwr]

I can understand the men being reluctant to approach the little girl as they might be look at as trying abduct the child. But woman probably should have at least acknowledge the child even if they thought the mother was only a few feet away.

[tomi]

One day at school I watched a video about a 4yr old girl who stood outside a mall for 2 hours at night and was walking around on the road then a homeless man came and helped her he even offered to give her money for her evening meal then the people doing the experiment came out and told that man how kind he was and found a hous and a job. Dear God 🙏 help us in the world a lot is happening and may you help all homeless, poor and sick people out there amen.

[rusikookisur]

cant somebody help them. they will get kidnaped.

[DrShaym]

Most people aren't going to assume that a kid is lost just because she's standing around. Also, even if they do, there's a good chance they wouldn't help her because they might afraid that if they're seen talking to a little kid, somebody will accuse them of being a pedophile.

[nxcolep]

When I was around 6 years old I got lost in a shopping complex, I could remember many people just giving me glares and not bothering to help me. I ran all the way down to the car park and started crying. Then an American family found me and took me to the information counter, where they made an announcement and helped me find my mum.

[leonhue]

A very sensitive subject indeed.
Owing to the media hype about child abduction together with child abuse. A guy is afraid to step forward and help for fear of one's honourable intentions being misconstrued.
When my children where babies and older I was reluctant to be to close to them with hugs, kisses respectful caressing and cuddles.
I do regret it now but alas, I cannot turn back the clock.
I attribute my reluctance directly to all media who salivated to find any story about children who may have been abused or possibly just genuinely loved.
I recall a talk about children being taken advantaged of or abused by guardians by a so called child psychologist when my children were still at preschool.
From there on I distanced myself even more so from my children.
I'd never talk, look or interfere with a strange child for fear of a trap or whatever.
Take a bow all Media as your reckless hyped up reporting did negatively impact on the way some parents raised their children especially me.
Yes, No Wonder The People Walked On By and Ignored That dear Child!

[FootballeditsXSS]

Everytime i see a homeless man even since i was 5, i would ask my dad ti give them a doaller it warmes my heart to see him happy❤

[sexychick]

even a dog would stop and look.. human beings are so horrible.