Child Actors Involved in Racy Show

Have you ever heard of “Skins”? If you ever watch MTV, then you’ve probably seen a commercial (or twenty) for their new show, based on a British series by Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain. From the trailers, it looks like “Skins” is about high school kids who are obsessed with having sex and doing drugs.

The Parents Television Council said “Skins” is

“the most dangerous program that has ever been foisted on your children.”

Brian Stelter for The New York Times writes that the show is “facing questions [regarding] child pornography laws.” MTV has always produced racy shows, including “The Real World” and “Jersey Shore”, but this new show is different. In the past, MTV has employed adult actors. On “Skins,” the actors range from ages 15 through 19. “MTV states in news releases that it is ‘specifically designed to be viewed by adults.’”

Hmm, what adults would want to watch a show in which children, potentially their kids’ age, are engaging in drugs or sexual acts at high school parties? It sounds to me like MTV is purposefully advertising “Skins” to high school children or younger. The ratings show the same.

“It attracted 3.3 million to its premiere on Monday night and set a new first-episode record for the channel among viewers ages 12 to 34… According to the Nielson Company, the first episode drew 1.2 million people younger than 18.”

As young as age 12?! That means barely middle-school aged children are watching a show that some consider to be child pornography. I am worried that there are no longer any boundaries for what children see on TV or hear on the radio. I may sound like a grandma here, but I believe that what a child is exposed to has a great influence on him or her, and the networks that air these shows are responsible for what they are promoting to these children. Because of controversy following the airing of the first episode last Monday, even a few big-time advertisers are backing out of supporting “Skins.” Following Taco Bell and GM’s decision to pull their advertising, chewing gum company Wrigley have now also decided to back out of endorsing the series.”

Check out what The Daily has to say about “Skins” here.

(Photo by sxc.hu)