Sexualistation of Young People

• Games consoles are sold with a
separate ‘unlocking’ code, which
purchasers can choose to input if
they wish to use or allow access
of the console to adult and online
content.
• This idea could be extended to
‘child friendly’ computers and mobile
phones where adult content is
filtered out by default.
3) Working with
businesses and
retailers
i) Corporate responsibility
There are signs that some manufacturers
are prepared to listen to the concerns
of those working to safeguard children.
Numerous companies have withdrawn
products from sale following campaigns
in the national press, and the NSPCC is
working with businesses to encourage
them to look at the implications of making
and/or selling products that contribute
to sexualisation and objectification.
I recommend that:
• The government supports
the NSPCC in its work with
manufacturers and retailers to
encourage corporate responsibility
with regard to sexualised
merchandise.
• As a first step, guidelines should be
issued following consultation with
major clothing retailers and parents’
groups so that a broad consensus can
be reached with regard to what is
appropriate for different age groups.
ii) ‘Lads’ mags’
Many parents have complained to me
about the sexually explicit imagery and
straplines featured on the covers of so-
called ‘lads’ mags’. These are often stocked
alongside magazines aimed at teenagers or
even comics in high street newsagents and
supermarkets, flouting the retailers’ existing
voluntary code of magazine placement.
In accord with this, during an evidence
hearing session a spokesperson from the
human rights organisation Object made
the point that:
“ ….pornification impacts on how boys
and men are encouraged to view and treat
women, with far-reaching implications for
gender inequality and violence against
women. The links between pornification,
discrimination and violence against women
have been recognised at the international
level by the United Nations Convention to
Eliminate Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW), which calls on States to take
decisive action to tackle the objectification
of women and girls. This requires an
overhaul of media regulation to move away
from inadequate self-regulatory voluntary
guidelines.”
I therefore recommend that:
• The existing voluntary code for
retailers regarding the placements
of ‘lads’ mags’ be replaced by a
mandatory code, allowing customers
to report retailers who continue to
place such magazines at children’s
eye-level and/or next to publications
aimed at children and young people.
• ‘Lads’ mags’ should be marked clearly
as recommended for sale only to
persons 15 and over.
iii) Recruitment
A report released by the Department
for Work and Pensions 421 shows that
job centres are routinely advertising
vacancies at escort agencies, lap-dancing
clubs, massage parlours and TV sex
channels. In 2007-08, Jobcentre Plus
421 www.parliament.uk/deposits/
depositedpapers/2008/DEP2008-3155.doc
Sexualisation of Young People Review
83