Although it has been criticized in every possible way for its allegedly inappropriate and abusive treatment of its protagonists, children as young as 8 years old, “Kid Nation” will nevertheless make its debut Wednesday on CBS.

The reality series will show 40 children, ages between 8 and 15, as they build a society for themselves in the middle of the desert within 40 days, without contact with their parents.

The children were placed in a deserted New Mexico town, where they set about to survive on their own. They hauled water, cooked food, washed, built and fixed, and made up their own rules within the community.

CBS came under fire in early August, when the media picked up on its unusual project and soon found less-than-smooth edges to it. The show’s producers were soon accused of violating child labor and welfare laws because the kids were filmed for as long as 14 hours a day.

The producers defended themselves, assuring the public that the children had not been in danger. There had been a complete staff behind the cameras at all times, ready to assist the juvenile protagonists if needed.

Adults were present throughout the 40 days spent in the desert, CBS said: the cameramen, a doctor, a child psychologist, crewmembers etc. Contact between the children and the adults was minimal though.

The parents had also signed contracts that described what the show consisted of and received money.

CBS defended itself by saying: “The series was filmed responsibly and within all applicable laws in the state of New Mexico at the time of the production.

“What was extraordinary about “Kid Nation” was the behind-the-scenes support structure,” the network added, “which included on-site paramedics, a pediatrician, an animal-safety expert and a child psychologist, not to mention a roster of producers assigned to monitor the kids’ behavior.”

There were a few accidents. Several children accidentally drank bleach from a soda can; one girl was burned with hot oil as she cooked in the kitchen (and her mother is now claiming that she did not receive medical attention).

CBS announced in August that the show would debut as scheduled, on Sept. 19 and added: “We are confident that the true story will be told in the weeks ahead through the episodes on the screen and the voices of the kids who participated - the overwhelming majority of whom had a positive experience.”

It now remains to be seen whether the producers of “Kid Nation” will be proven right or whether even more criticism will sprout.