Is MTV's 'Skins' Straddling Child Pornography Laws?

Although the British seem to do it better, we copy it just as well -- and in this case, a little too well. With the latest Brit TV series, 'Skins,' making it across the pond and landing on MTV, Americans are getting more than an eyeful of gratuitous teenage sexuality in all of its glory.
But American teens better TiVo the first two episodes before network execs force producers to tone down the heavy petting and nudity. The show has been labeled by some -- including
The New York Times -- as a flagrant display of child pornography.
Featuring scenes that simulate masturbation, sex and drug use, it sounds like just another day at the 'Jersey Shore.' But MTV's other scandal-saturated reality shows all feature actors/reality stars who are at least 18 years old. 'Skins' boasts a bevy of fresh-faced actors, some as young as 15.
Check out the full series premiere episode ... after the jump!
The third episode, set to debut on Jan. 31, follows Chris, played by Jesse Carere, who, after experimenting with erectile dysfunction pills, runs down the street naked, exposing his 17-year-old bum. The episode spawned a vehement reaction from the Parents Television Council, who called the show the "most dangerous program that has ever been foisted on your children." Now it's set to be toned down before it airs.
'Skins' carries a rating of TV-MA (meant for those above 17 years old) and scored killer ratings with its premiere episode, but the Times cites analysts saying at least 1 million of the new 'Skins' enthusiast viewers were under 17.
With allegations of violating child pornography statutes, it seems as though the notoriously envelope-pushing network will not be able to keep up with the show's original plot lines (the premiere American episode was almost identical to its British original) that British audiences enjoyed. The U.K. is famously more accepting of televised eroticism.
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disgusting shows to aim at our young people!!! parental controls.. investigate this
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Oh, Lara -- Take a rest! You need to be investigated! Get a grip woman. People like you are the problem. Anything sexual in nature is labeled -- "let's put them in jail, investigate!" I'm not politically correct. If you don't want to see it, then don't turn on the T.V. Anyway, MTV sucks. Haven't watched that show since 1981.
Ridiculous. Sheltering your kids and pretending like these things aren't there, aren't going to make them go away. People have sex. People drink. People do drugs. Get over it.
The British and the rest of Europe also accepts that the change from child to adult is a transitional process - not instantaneous, at the stoke of midnight on one particular day.
It's also accepted that the best way to teach kids is to show them both sides of a moral argument and explain the good from the bad. Not force them to see one side, and banish them from the other.
"Ridiculous. Sheltering your kids and pretending like these things aren't there, aren't going to make them go away. People have sex. People drink. People do drugs. Get over it."
Or better yet, instead of sheltering your kids to the point where they grow up with NO coping skills, use shows like this as an opportunity to teach them what kinds of choices they should make and why. The wildest kids I knew in college were the ones most sheltered before they got there. When mommy and daddy try to hide what's out there, baby never learns how to deal with any of it.
it was ok for the other kids across the world. i think that its a reality check. it happens, wake up.
Yes!!! Let's force everyone to parent our children so we don't have to!!!
Admit it....you like sex. you watch the show it's still on tv. What's your kid doing? doing sex while Mommy watches Skins?
MTV Skins is HORRIBLE!
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Why do we keep copying British shows? No original American ideas?
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Of course there are original American shows! Jersey Shore is one show we can certainly be proud to call an American original!
So where are the parents of these one million under 17 year olds?
TV is not a babysitter. Parents need to be held accountable for their lack of supervision
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This show is "rating of TV-MA (meant for those above 17 years old)" and features 15 year olds in sexual situations. I believe this show's target audience are pedophiles...which would be my concern. People go to prison for this, why is it on TV?
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Exactly! Very good point. But wait a minute, pedophilia does occur so shouldn't it be shown on tv also? You know, give people both sides and let them choose, stop sheltering them. That's the argument people are making and its absolutely absurd.
""most dangerous program that has ever been foisted on your children"
Seeing a 17-year-old's behind for a few seconds is only "dangerous" to the closet cases on the Parents Television Council because it makes them think about their repressed homosexuality.
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give me a f...n break don't show any skin but its quite ok to show someone getting their brains blown out ,blood and guts are ok but don't show any t&a on the telly,show some real life and get rid of the violence pls!
some are 15!!! no 17 yr old should be on tv naked.. wake up
lol americans are so prude
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So, why stop there. Everyone can do anything. Total anarchy, no morals. Yeah, thats the way to go.
Geez, grow up why dont you. So juvenile.
get real Lisa.."target audience are pedophiles"? I bet even pedophiles have better things to do than watch MTV.
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