Mum's the word with Antonia Kidman

How young is too young? The girl at the centre of the controversy about young models doesn't believe age is an issue.

'I can fit into women's clothes, so I should be able to model them,' says Maddison Gabriel, who was only 12 when she was chosen as the face of the recent Gold Coast Fashion Week.

The fashion industry is obsessed with youth and beauty. For decades, young girls have been cast into the spotlight through the world of modelling. Kate Moss, Elle Macpherson and Rachel Hunter all started their careers in their teens. They were able to navigate opportunities and turn them into long-lasting, lucrative careers.

But not every model enjoys such success. Many are not as savvy or don't have the talent, beauty or brains to handle the demands of such a competitive industry. Starting at such a young age can also lead to exploitation. Young girls need to be protected and strong parental involvement and care is paramount.

It's worth remembering if a girl is beautiful at 13, she'll be more so at 16. There's no hurry
to throw her into the adult world of fashion. The demands of working with mature professionals such as photographers, editors, stylists and hair and make-up artists can be high. They expect a standard many young girls aren't able to meet.

Young girls are very impressionable and the emphasis placed on looks and weight can lead to unhealthy obsessions. Again, confidence and acceptance come mostly with age. The teenage years are when most of us find our way - they're a time to make mistakes and experience failure. To do so under the spotlight only adds to the pressure.

I'm not one to smother a young girl's dreams. Responsibility and experience are beneficial, and modelling sure beats serving up burgers and fries! But age-appropriateness is the key. Children such as Bindi Irwin and Dakota Fanning make the most of their success and talent and will probably move into the adult world of television and film fairly seamlessly. But they're quite unique in terms of their maturity - and their images are marketed to their own age group.

If Maddison has what it takes to make it, she'll still be able to do so at 16 and there will be plenty of time to build a strong career. She'll have a few more years of confidence and maturity under her belt too, which she'll need if she's going to succeed in the world of modelling.