| 1 | | | TWO THIRDS of children are getting their | | | | | video with too much sex in it. Yet only a third |
| | | information about sex and relationships from | | | | | of those switched it off. Although television |
| | | soap operas and adult chat shows such as | | | 45 | | was a key source for information about sex, |
| | | Jerry Springer’s, new research will reveal this | | | | | two-thirds still said their mother was as |
| 5 | | week. | | | | | important in learning about the facts of life. |
| 2 | | | The two-year study, commissioned by | | 6 | | | What most startled the researchers was the |
| | | broadcasters and regulators, found the shows | | | | | knowhow of youngsters and the ease with |
| | | were regarded as a “useful” source for the | | | 50 | | which they discussed subjects formerly |
| | | “facts of life” by children aged 9 to 17. | | | | | considered taboo for minors. A nine-year-old |
| 10 | | Almost 80% of those questioned believed | | | | | girl told researchers that exposure to sex and |
| | | their parents underestimated their sexual | | | | | marriage break-ups was “normal”, adding: |
| | | knowledge, drawn from programmes such as | | | | | “They are a part of society even if you don’t |
| | | EastEnders and the Jerry Springer show, all of | | | 55 | | agree with them.” |
| | | which are broadcast before 9pm. | | 7 | | | They also understood how the media might |
| 3 | 15 | | While critics claim it is evidence of | | | | | be manipulating them. For example, two 12- |
| | | children getting a dysfunctional view of | | | | | year-old girls told the researchers: “They use |
| | | sexual relationships, the researchers argue it | | | | | HIV storylines in soaps to get people |
| | | is providing them with a better insight than | | | 60 | | interested just so they can make more |
| | | sex-education classes at school. “Children | | | | | money.” And many thought people “faked” |
| 20 | | feel that schools don’t talk about the | | | | | problems in order to appear on shows such as |
| | | emotional complexities of the subject of sex | | | | | Jerry Springer’s. |
| | | and relationships, which television does,” | | 8 | | | The findings, however, confirmed the fears |
| | | says a source close to the report, compiled by | | | 65 | | of some experts that children were being |
| | | researchers at the Institute of Education, part | | | | | introduced to sex at an increasingly younger |
| 25 | | of the University of London. Teaching in | | | | | age. John Beyer, director of the campaign |
| | | schools is said to be “too narrow” and | | | | | group Mediawatch, said: “At a time when the |
| | | “moralistic”. | | | | | government is trying to clamp down on |
| 4 | | | Susan Stranks, former presenter of the | | | 70 | | teenage pregnancy, too many programmes |
| | | children’s show Magpie and a broadcasting | | | | | have an obsession with all manner of sexual |
| 30 | | campaigner, however, was concerned that | | | | | perversion and I am not surprised to hear |
| | | young children, particularly, could start to see | | | | | children feel they know more about sex than |
| | | troubled relationships as the norm. “My | | | | | their parents.” |
| | | concern is that programmes like The Jerry | | 9 | 75 | | Zoë Ball, the former children’s television |
| | | Springer Show present a distorted picture of | | | | | presenter who has a three-year-old son, said |
| 35 | | relationships as always being damaging and | | | | | television’s impact could be overestimated. “I |
| | | problematic.” | | | | | don’t think that any amount of chat shows or |
| 5 | | | The study, to be published tomorrow, was | | | | | soaps can replace what kids learn in the |
| | | based on in-depth interviews and workshops | | | 80 | | playground from each other,” said Ball. |
| | | with more than 800 children across England. | | | | | “Their bodies change and life just takes over.” |
| 40 | | It confirmed that the vast majority of children | | | | | |
| | | - 89% - had a television in their bedroom. | | | | | The Sunday Times |
| | | Two-thirds said they had seen a programme or | | |
