Page:Bailey Review.djvu/36

The 'Wallpaper' of Children's Lives

Music videos are currently exempt from classification under the Video Recordings Act 1984 and 2010 (VRA) which means that, unlike films, there is no restriction on children purchasing any but the most explicit of music videos. There are also no restrictions on children downloading music videos of any nature.As the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) explains:

"Under the [Video Recordings Act 7984 and 2070] certain video works are exempt from classification because back in 1984 they were considered to be unlikely to be harmful. These are video works concerned with sport, religion or music, or designed to inform, educate or instruct. The content of these exempt works has changed beyond recognition since 1984. This has meant that inappropriate and potentially harmful content in such works, including sexual content, is exempt from statutory classification, allowing it to be legally supplied to children [In our research (Goldstone 8- Slesenger, 20 70) 700 per cent of adults surveyed felt that potentially harmful content in videos, including music videos, which are presently exempt from classification, ought to be classified, and the classification decision enforced. Content  33