Article: Child experts want ban on soft porn magazines

[CrankyAndTired]

Child experts want ban on soft porn magazines

MORE than 30 child experts are calling for a ban on the sale of pornographic magazines such as Playboy and Penthouse and other soft porn material from newsagents, milkbars, convenience stores, supermarkets and petrol stations.

The group has asked censorship ministers to review the rules on which the so-called lads' mags such as People, The Picture, Zoo and Ralph are reviewed, saying they are increasingly explicit and contributing to the sexualisation of children.

A letter to the standing committee of attorneys-general/censorship ministers signed by a former chief justice of the Family Court, Alastair Nicholson, the chief executive of World Vision, Tim Costello, the actor Noni Hazlehurst and 34 academics, child professionals and advocates says such material should be restricted to adults-only premises.

They are particularly disturbed by the prevalence of ''teen sex'' magazines featuring women apparently aged more than 18 but looking younger and styled with braces and pigtails but in highly sexualised poses and sometimes performing sex acts. Under Australian censorship laws it is illegal to use under-age models or models who appear to be under 18.

Julie Gale, director of the lobby group Kids Free 2B Kids, said easy access to the internet meant young people were experiencing unprecedented exposure to pornographic images, voluntarily or involuntarily. ''But allowing pornography and overtly sexualised images to be sold in the public arena with easy access for children and teens tells them that this is acceptable. It gives it public validation.''

In a separate action, Catherine Manning of Say No 4 Kids has sent a petition with 8000 signatures to the attorneys-general calling for tighter restrictions. Many shops segregated adult material but others did not, she said.

''Exposure to adult sexualised material can send the wrong message to children about what's expected of them as adults. Girls think they should behave like 'porn stars' and boys expect them to.''

http://www.smh.com.au/national/child...0404-rlrz.html

My thoughts??

Your thoughts??

[sockstealingpoltergeist]

My thoughts are that that would be a very good thing.

[mummyvioletta]

My thoughts are that that would be a very good thing.

[1+1=5]

I think it can only be a good thing.

[sockstealingpoltergeist]

[OneNowOneLater]

[sunnymummy]

They are particularly disturbed by the prevalence of ''teen sex'' magazines featuring women apparently aged more than 18 but looking younger and styled with braces and pigtails but in highly sexualised poses and sometimes performing sex acts.

This is of particular concern to me.

I agree with other posters that this can only be a good thing.

[Tam-I-Am]

The article title is a bit misleading, I think. I don't think that they're looking for soft porn to be banned, but restricted in sales, and ability to be viewed by members of the general public who might not wish to view them - both of which I think are stellar ideas.

[PeppaH]

Yay for that... but why are child experts calling for this to happen and what does

sexualisation of children.

mean?? Because that might explain it to me lol

[Pax]

good with everyone else.