Movie Censorship !

Many parents rely on the suitability rating imposed on movie releases to screen unsuitable images from their children.  That was an excellent screening process in the days when the only place a movie could be seen was in a movie theatre.  Since then they have progressed to television screens and in todays world the streaming phenomenon makes them instantly available on computers, tablets and smart phones.

An R-Rated classification is imposed on films with an excess of violence or sex scenes too explicit for young eyes.  It is quite evident that this form of censorship is failing because the digital age has circumvented parental control out of parent's hands.  From a very young age the average kid now has his or her own personal mobile phone.

The older generation may remember the furore back in 1997 when a film titled " Lolita " became a box office sensation.  Judged " mediocre " by many, it starred Jeremy Irons and a young Dominique  Swain in a romance that many saw as simply paedophilia. Church and moral persuaders applied pressure for the government to impose a ban and prevent its release in this country.

It was hotly debated in Federal parliament and a government then headed by John Howard eventually decided not to intervene in the R-Rating imposed by the Office of Film and Literature classification and it would not be banned.  It ended up being screened in a small number of art house cinemas in Australian cities but never made it to a general release.

Since then a wide division has emerged in the film genre emanating from America and Europe.  Despite America having a vast pornographic film industry the main studios avoid full front nudity and subject matter that might attract an adverse childrens rating.  In contrast, films from continental Europe seem to go out of their way to draw such censure. The rating applied to a film is usually individual to the country in which it will be shown.

All that applies to films to be shown in cinemas and on television.  The Internet is a media form  reached by any digital device in the hands of people of any age.  It is completely uncensored and matter that would be classed as pornographic attracts a vast and enthusiastic audience.  In particular, a site called " Porn Hub " presents sex in all its graphic detail.  It seeks to attract customers to " pay to view " productions, but many " teaser " fare is offered free to gain viewer interest.

In todays world the young quickly gain a grasp of digital electronics that is far beyond the scope reached by their parents.  Their navigation of the Internet begins at almost pre-school age and a world of pornography awaits them.  Parents who think a talk that concerns the " birds and the bees " will be the commencement of a sex education might be surprised to know what their children have been watching.