If you aren’t familiar with the Parents Television Council (PTC), it is an advocacy group in the United States that educates parents on the content of television programs. While some may think the PTC infringes on the right to freedom of speech there have been instances where I have to applaud them.
The most recent is what they describe as the “most urgent alert” they have ever passed along to parents. It’s regarding an MTV program called “Skins.” Now I will admit that in passing I have heard reports about this show on various media outlets. I haven’t paid much attention to it because MTV is something we have blocked on all of our televisions.
So I guess I didn’t really think about it applying to me. But the truth is I should be just as outraged when any children are exposed to vulgarity in its deepest form, even if it doesn’t directly affect my own.
It wasn’t until one particular news program that I saw an actual clip. It was a scene of some teenagers partying in a room. In walked a teenage girl with a, well I’m not even sure what to call it. You couldn’t call it a shirt. You couldn’t even say she had a very long v-neck on because basically you could see from her neck down to her naval, with her breasts being partially exposed.
I was absolutely flabbergasted. This was what the PTC was complaining about? Well no wonder. Apparently the content of this program is about more than showing skin. Its graphic content also includes teenagers not only having sex with other teenagers but having it with adults, including their teachers. This is besides the depictions of them consuming large amounts of drugs, drinking alcohol and participating in violent activities.
Not only do you have this graphic material but many of the actors are not adults playing teenagers. There are real teenagers playing the parts, so that means you have minors participating in illegal activities.
From what I understand, some of the justification behind this is that it’s depicting “real life” for teenagers. Is this really what we think all teenagers do?
In my opinion “Skins” has gone too far. In fact, I would dare say it verges on being pornographic. I’m tired of teenagers being exposed to this kind of garbage and then being led to believe its okay. Parents, be aware of what your teenagers are watching.
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