Article

Censorship, Whatever!

Who chooses what you watch?

Did you know that 72% of 129 parents would switch off or turn over as a result of seeing something ‘concerning’? Can you believe it? Imagine watching your favourite singer on the X Factor and your parent suddenly turns over the channel because she is wearing a dress that is a little short and low cut. Well not any more. Isn’t that how celebs dress these days? Clarissa wants to take charge ‘I’m tired of not being able to watch what I want’, says the 16 year old who is in the same position as many other teenagers, thanks to the parents that want to control their children. 12 year old Safiya feels the same way ‘I don’t have to listen to what they say; I can do what I like’. Both Safiya and Clarissa understand pressure and so TV helps remove some stress. How can this be done if parents get in the middle? Here’s their thoughts and how they deal with it.

What do you think about your parents’ censorship rules?

 Safiya: It’s not fair. I Waited until I was 12 and till it came on TV to see Pirates of the Caribbean, but my parents still won’t let me see it, even though I’m allowed to. They need to make some new rules that are better and give me more freedom to watch what I want.

Clarissa: I think it is cruel and unusual punishment. All I want is to watch my favourite programmes.  By keeping it restricted, it just makes me want to watch something more and discover more ways to do so. What other 16 year old is told what not to watch by their parents? Trust me, if I want to watch something, I will find a way.

How badly has the censorship affected you?

Clarissa: So much. I don’t mean to sound dramatic but I can’t live without watching my favourite shows like 90210 and TOWIE. My mum says they are glorified ‘teenagers’ that look 30. With these rules I don’t get to experience new programmes and broaden my viewing range. I can’t even watch Gok’s Fashion Fix with someone saying ‘we’re turning this over as this young lady is wearing next to nothing’. It was only underwear which I wear too.

Safiya: Really really badly. My parents were born in the stone ages so they don’t know what TV is like now. I don’t get what they see is so bad about TV. They have this parent vision that makes them able to see something that would ‘corrupt’ my mind.

Do you think you could do a better job?

Safiya: I know I can even with my eyes closed. I know what I should be watching, I have rights too! I can give myself so much freedom. Parents only want to keep you as a child and not let you explore the TV.

Clarissa: Of course, I can judge for myself what I should and shouldn’t watch. I’m 16; I’m not a child anymore. There is nothing too explicit that I don’t already know about by this age. I tired of not being able to watch what I want, when I want.

How have you escaped their watchful eye in the past? If you have.

Clarissa: In the evening, I would tell my mum that I am tired and go up to bed whilst she turns off the TV and also goes to bed. Then I come back down and watch what I want to watch without interruptions, usually. As I have a laptop quite a few of my programmes and movies I watch online. I mean who hasn’t lied about their age and ticked the box that asks ‘are you over 16 or 18?’.

Safiya: Once I was watching a film with my older sister who is 17 and my dad walked in to inspect the film she was watching. There was nothing on the screen that was ‘harmful’ at the time, so my dad left. He didn’t know that I was hiding behind the bed. My sister doesn’t agree with the rules either, so she lets me watch what I want and doesn’t tell on me. I don’t have to listen to what they say.

Have you ever been caught watching something you weren’t supposed to?

Safiya: Actually, there was a time I was watching a programme with my sister and I didn’t hide in time for my dad’s inspection and so he sent me out of her room and told her to lock the door. He sad ‘I’m sure this film isn’t suitable for you and I’m pretty sure this isn’t your room either.’

Clarissa: Yes, a few times. I was watching Burlesque the movie when my dad walked in and said “what is this filth you’re watching” just when Christina Aguilera was performing her solo in a bra and knickers outfit laced with pearls. It was rated 12A so it wasn’t like I was watching anything I wasn’t legally allowed to.

What advice can you give to our readers?

Clarissa: I would say the best way to avoid criticism from parents is to go online, if you have a personal computer/laptop, to watch your favourite programmes or movies. If you are over the age, it shouldn’t be a problem to see something at the cinema or buy on DVD. Another good way is to go to a friend’s house whose parents don’t mind what their child watches.

Safiya: Watch it in secret; if someone walks in quickly change the channel and pretend you’re watching something else. I do that a lot.