It’s TV time folks, and many of the Fall shows will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

One that has already generated a lot of controversy is Kid Nation, which will debut Wednesday on CBS at 8 p.m.

The show features 40 kids, ages 8 to 15, who have the cameras turned on them as they live -- by themselves -- in an abandoned mining town in New Mexico for 40 days.

Throughout the course of the show, the kids form their own government, cook their own food, and essentially rule themselves. Typical of reality television, the kids participate in challenges in order to receive special powers and privileges on the show. At the end of each episode, one kid will win a Gold Star worth $20,000.

It has been reported that participants were paid $5,000 to be on the show.

Even though the show will air this week, some critics have already called the show abusive. Others have criticized parents for allowing their children to appear on the show.

I’m not sure what to think about the show. I’ve seen the previews. Sure there are plenty of clips of kids crying, but my first reaction is not child abuse. Kids cry.

Personally, I don’t see how the show is all that different from Bug Juice on Disney, or Boys Vs. Girls on The N. All of these shows exploit participants. But isn’t that one of the prerequisites of “reality television”?

What do you think about the “Kid Nation” controversy? Would you allow your child to participate on the show? Are the participants of “Kid Nation” being exploited?