The recent uproar over the so-called racy Miley Cyrus photos taken by Annie Leibovitz is reminiscent of an unavoidable sure fire way to jump the shark…puberty.

Many child stars, and not just ones who are Disney property, have fallen victim to simply growing up. Just ask Robbie Rist or Tina Yothers.

It’s not hard to stay cute, it’s nearly impossible. So what’s a child star to do? I have two young daughters, and we’ve lived through a couple of these cycles. The writing on the wall for Miley isn’t pretty.

A decade ago, Lindsay Lohan got her start playing twins in Disney’s The Parent Trap. The adorable freckled red head was a talented actress, and as Lindsay grew up her roles kept pace with her maturation. She attempted a musical career following Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen and Freaky Friday, but failed to cross over. Mean Girls was the icing on Lindsay’s cake, and she was fully embraced in the teen community. But since then, her career has been nothing but disappointment.

Disney refined its approach and began to build its crossover stars at an earlier age and simply hope for the best. If they can’t make it in TV, at least they’ll have a recording career. But get them started early!

Next came Lizzie McGuire, a Disney Channel TV show that starred Hilary Duff. Lizzie was a smart, cute program, and my kids along with other pre-teens quickly became obsessed with it. Multiple airings on the cable channel helped reinforce everything Lizzie, and we all couldn’t get enough Hilary Duff.

After Lizzie established itself as a Disney franchise, an album featuring Hilary Duff soon followed, and my girls were instantly humming the catchy pop tunes and going to see her live. A Lizzie McGuire movie was up next and Hilary was ready to conquer the world.

There was just one problem. Hilary was aging, and naturally wanted to take on more “mature” roles. Her music lyrics got racier. Lizzie McGuire disappeared from TV. Hilary was growing up, but my girls and others like them moved on to the next Disney sensation, [url http://www.jumptheshark.com/topic/Hannah-Montana/Hannah-Montana-General-Comments/700000021]Hannah Montana[/url].

By day, pop superstar Hannah Montana is a regular kid named Miley who goes to school and lives life like everyone else. At night, she’s Hannah, the dreamy rock and roll star. Her character is a good kid on and off the stage finding her way through life.

The brilliance of this Disney gem is how it naturally spawned off Miley Cyrus’ recording career. Hannah Montana hits led to Miley Cyrus hits, and a successful tour let kids get even closer to Hannah/Miley. The opening act on the tour? The Jonas Brothers, who are the next Disney pre-pubescent project.

Now just when Miley is at the top of her game, a controversy emerges over these pictures. The world will begin to drift out of Miley’s corner as she embarks on the most difficult part of her career, the transition from a tween sensation to contemporary artist.

Disney claims outrage at the photos, but they’re not worried one bit. They’ve got the High School Musical franchise, The Jonas Brothers, and a new show called Wizards of Waverly Place that stars Barney alumnus Selena Gomez. Expect Selena’s record to drop soon, as the vicious cycle starts again.

The child stars lose. The mouse wins. And it never ever ends.