A mum has taken to the internet to ask for advice after a difference of opinion between herself and her husband over whether their 13-year-old daughter should be allowed to watch Love Island. Love Island is a 'post-watershed' show, meaning it airs after 9pm, a time when more adult TV is to be expeced.
The worried mum took to parenting website Mumsnet's ‘Am I Being Unreasonable’ chat forum to say her daughter ‘keeps asking to watch Love Island’ and said she’s in disagreement with her husband over whether to let her tune in to the ITV2 reality TV show, reports The Echo.
The popular programme sees single men and women looking for love and choosing who to ‘couple up’ with. Over the years the show has aired what could be interpreted as sex scenes, as well as contestants talking explicitly about sex.
The mum wrote: “She keeps asking to watch it, she kept asking last year as well. DH [dear husband] thinks she’s ok to watch it but I disagree, AIBU [Am I Being Unreasonable]?
“I’ve never watched it so don’t know what it’s like really. I just think that 13 is a bit young for something like Love Island, this is only based on the little that I know about it though.”
Other parents shared their thoughts. One person said: “I don’t see the issue tbh and all of her friends will be talking about it!”
Another person said she ‘didn't allow’ her daughter to watch it at 13 saying it’s “far too explicit.” But a third person said: “I would let her - it opens up discussions about what is and isn’t ok in relationships - watch it with her and see what she thinks”.
A fourth added: “I think there is an argument for not watching it. But I think there are also arguments for watching it with lots of discussion around the toxic elements of it, why some of the relationships aren't healthy etc. Avoidance isn't the same as education”.
A fifth person said: “She will just watch it at her friend’s houses if you don't allow it. She's 13 not 3”. And the responses kept on coming. One person said: “I wouldn't be happy with that level of explicit language either. My ds luckily shows no interest but it would be a no if he did.”
And another added: “Would she watch it with you? Otherwise I'd say no, from what I can see, it has lots of unhealthy attitudes to relationships and life in general and I wouldn't want my child having an unfiltered viewing of that. I would want to discuss the themes that come up and make sure they have an understanding of healthy relationships etc.”
According to TV watchdog Ofcom, the 9pm watershed is in place to protect children.
They say: "Protecting children from harmful material on TV and radio is one of Ofcom’s most important duties. Our Broadcasting Code sets standards for television and radio shows and broadcasters must follow its rules.
"There are strict rules about what can be shown on TV before the 9pm watershed. But what exactly is the watershed and how does it work?
"The watershed means the time when TV programmes which might be unsuitable for children can be broadcast."
They added: "Unsuitable material can include everything from sexual content to violence, graphic or distressing imagery and swearing. For example, the most offensive language must not be broadcast before the watershed on TV or, on radio, when children are particularly likely to be listening.
"Frequent use of offensive language must be avoided before the watershed, and must always be justified by its context."
Defending the watershed, Ofcom said: "The watershed continues to help parents protect their children from material that might be unsuitable or even harmful for them. Twice a year, every year, we ask parents and the wider general public what they think about standards on TV.
"Almost everyone (93 per cent) understands the watershed and 74 per cent think 9pm is the right time. If you just ask parents, that number rises to 76 per cent."
