small screen News Digest of Australian Council on Children and the Media (incorporating Young Media Australia) ISSN: 0817-8224 No. 267 August 2010 The media as sex educators? Media use and sleep - A review of ACMA finds ABC wrongly classified research In its policy statement, Sexuality, Contra- ception, and the Media, released recently, The Proposition Researchers at Flinders University in South the American Academy of Pediatrics Australia have conducted a review of 36 Following a submission from the Austral- calls for a national task force on children, studies into the relationship between sleep ian Council on Children and the Media the adolescents, and the media, and advocates and electronic media use in children and Australian Communications and Media for comprehensive sex education. adolescents. Media looked at in these stud- Authority (“ACMA”) found (13 September ies included television, computers, games, 2010) that “ABC breaches its code of prac- From a health viewpoint, early sexual ac- internet, mobile phones and music. tice by incorrectly classifying The Proposi- tivity among US adolescents is seen as a tion as M” potential problem because of the risk of The consensus from these studies was that pregnancy and sexually transmitted infec- the use of electronic media does have a The investigation by ACMA found that the tions. New evidence points to the media negative impact on children’s sleep. The ABC incorrectly broadcast the Australian adolescents use frequently, including tel- most consistent results regarded delayed film The Proposition as M [at 8.30pm] de- evision, music, movies, magazines, and the bedtime and shorter total sleep. spite it containing frequent and realistic Internet as important factors in the initia- scenes of violence. Mechanisms proposed for the impact of tion of sexual intercourse. media on sleep quality or quantity include While the ABC argued that depictions of In their policy statement the authors high- violence in the film were neither detailed • media use directly replacing sleep, or light the negative impacts of TV and media nor prolonged and made use of editing activities which promote sleep on the sexual behavior of children and teen- techniques to minimise the detail ACMA • media use causing children to become agers. They point out that there is “a ma- Chairman, Chris Chapman stated that physically aroused so making relaxa- jor disconnect between what mainstream tion and sleep more difficult media portray—casual sex and sexuality • bright light from screens suppressing with no consequences—and what children ‘In this instance, the ABC did not go far enough to modify The Proposition from its melatonin and thus delaying circadian and teenagers need—straightforward in- rhythms formation about human sexuality and the cinematic release—classified MA 15+— so as to be suitable for classification and • electromagnetic radiation from phones need for contraception when having sex. changing sleep architecture broadcast as M.’ They found that “more than 75% of prime- The authors suggest that further research time programs contain sexual content, yet The ACMA Investigation Report found that into possible mechanisms is needed. They only 14% of sexual incidents mention any the cumulative effect of violence through- hope that guidelines for duration and tim- risks or responsibilities of sexual activity” out The Proposition was such that the film’s ing of media use will be developed and sug- – and increased sexual content and sexual “intense treatment of violence cannot be gest that in the meantime parents should be suggestiveness in music, movies, television accommodated at the M classification” urged to discourage media use at bedtime shows, teen magazines, the Internet, social and be made aware of the negative effects networking web sites, and advertisements. The ABC has indicated it will ensure any of having electronic devices in bedrooms. future broadcasts of the film will be tele- Cain, N: Gradisar, M (2010). Lead author Victor C. Strasburger, MD vised with an MA15+ classification. It will Electronic media use and sleep in sees opportunity for positive impact, not- also provide a copy of ACMA’s final inves- school-aged children and adolescents: ing “The media can be powerful vehicles tigation report to its classification staff as A review. Sleep Medicine, 11, 735-742. for sexual health education.” The report part of training sessions. gives a number of examples of television programmes and campaigns which have Investigation report no: 2409 can be found AANA Code of Ethics Review - 2010 had positive results. on the ACMA website at The Australian Association of Advertisers http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STAND- is reviewing the voluntary, self-regulatory The report suggests a number of ways that ARD/pc=PC_312276 codes that articulate standards for conduct the media can be used for educating young by Australian advertisers. people and urges paediatricians to put The ACCM complaint to the ABC, ABC pressure on media organisations to act in response and additional report sent by AANA invites submissions from all in- socially responsible ways. ACCM can be found on our website at terested parties and a Discussion Paper is available on their website. The full policy statement can be found at http://www.youngmedia.org.au/pdf/ Submissions/accm_submission_abc_ More information: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/ proposition_2010feb.pdf http://aana.com.au/CodeofEthicsRe- cgi/reprint/peds.2010-1544v1 view2010.htm THE MEDIA AS SEX EDUCATORS? MEDIA USE AND SLEEP REVIEW SCHOOL HOLIDAY FILMS ABC BREACH OF CODE EDITORIAL: FILM TRAILERS POVERTY IS NOT A GAME small screen August p2 EDITORIAL Film trailers that ambush your choices no. 267 August 2010 So you’re taking your children or grandchildren For your benefit, here are the to the pictures during the school holidays. rules: small screen You’ve checked out the content of the film with Editor: Barbara Biggins OAM ACCM’s Know BeforeYou Go movie review service Film advertising (trailers) for a Compiler: Caroline Donald You’ve settled down for a happy family outing. classified film can only be publicly Barbara Biggins Editorial Board: Barbara Biggins, exhibited with a feature film of OAM Hon CEO Jane Roberts, Judy Bundy, Suddenly you’re confronted by a trailer for a the same or higher classification. Elizabeth Handsley. movie with content that’s not like the one you’ve small screen is published at the chosen- it may be violent, scary or just too adult. That is film advertising for : beginning of each month and This can happen despite the rules which do not reports on the events of the permit the screening of trailers of films with • G films can be screened with all films previous month 11 issues per a classification higher than the main feature. • PG films can only be screened with PG, M, year (Dec/Jan double issue) MA 15+ or R 18+ films Published by If this happens to you, don’t just grumble, tell • M films only with M, MA 15+ or R 18+ films Australian Council on someone- the ACCM, the cinema manager, or the • MA 15+ films only with MA 15+ or R 18+ Children and the Media Classification Board. films (ACCM) • R 18+ films only with R 18+ or X18+ films. PO Box 447 Complaints do work. Glenelg 5045 South Australia [email protected] www.youngmedia.org.au What’s on offer for the holidays? A new book from Steve Biddulph Tel: +61 8 8376 2111 Fax: +61 8 8376 2122 Helpline: 1800 700 357 Once again it will be difficult to find a film Steve Biddulph has announced the release of suitable for the whole family in the coming The New Manhood - a ACCM is a national, non-profit school holidays. A number of films aimed at complete replacement community organisation. children have recently been released and of these for the book Manhood Its mission is to promote a only one has a G rating. which he wrote 20 years quality media environment for Australian children. ago). According to Australian Council on Children and No part of this publication the Media reviewers, all these films, including According to Steve, may be reproduced without the one rated G, have violent and scary scenes “it is a much deeper permission of the Editor. that make them unsuitable for young children. book and is full of new Contributions are welcome. stories, perspectives, Films aimed at younger children, with and challenges to Classification Board ratings and ACCM men to stand at ACCM’s services are guidelines include: their full height”. It aims to be a life guide partially supported by for men, as well as for women wanting to • Cats and Dogs: The revenge of Kitty Galore. grants from the understand men better, and for parents Rated G by the Classification Board but wanting to help their sons into adulthood. South Australian found by the ACCM reviewer to be too Government violent and scary for under 5s with parental Steve Biddulph explores the elements guidance recommended to 8. of a man’s life that often cause • The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (PG) Not unhappiness, emptiness or frustration. recommended by ACCM under 10, PG to 13 Love, sex, marriage, raising children, friendship, (Violence; scary scenes) ACCM’s Web Page and spirituality and finding your true work are • Despicable Me (PG) Not recommended amongst many subjects covered. Broadband access by ACCM under 5, PG to 10 (Violence, are supported by its Disturbing scenes) The author states that the core message of his Internet Service Provider • Furry Vengeance (PG) Not recommended by book is about “shifting from being a boy-in- ACCM under 5, PG to 10 (Violence, Scary a-man’s body to being an authentic fully alive scenes) Internode man. More purposeful, more loving, and acting Parents should also be aware that the film for the common good....(It is) my best effort to Tomorrow when the war began which is based on change the world by changing men, awaking a popular John Marsden book is likely to attract them to be active in the fight to stop climate Publication and younger teens who are familiar with the book, change and build a post-consumer society”.