SWEARING ON CBBC ACCEPTABLE?

[Nancy123]

TV PROGRAM: Tracy Beaker Returns - Series 3, 4. Big Brother
AIRED ON THE CBBC CHANNEL AT 17:00 FRIDAY 20th January 2012.

Whilst I feel the behavior expressed by the children in this program by shouting at each other and the adults not very encouraging behavior for young viewers, I just about tolerate my 8 year old daughter watching this program.

However, 21 minutes into this particular episode there is a strong exchange of words between 2 brothers in a market location at the DVD stall. When one brother (Liam) asks " Why didn't you come forward or did you enjoy watching your brother being sent down" the other (Jack) replies "it made me feel sh*t!"

I couldn't believe swear words as strong as this were being written into the script of children's TV programs especially when aired at 5pm!!
As I was unsure that I heard correctly I watched the program again on the iPlayer and yes the "Sh*t" word was used.!!

This is totally unacceptable, is the BBC saying to our young children that to use such language in this form of vocabulary is acceptable?

It is still about standards going down which is why this word is now acceptable in a way that it never was. I still think it is a swear word of sorts, it makes me cringe when people shout it in the street. Its not a teenage programme either. Lots of children around 7/8/9 watch it too and like everything it just makes it more "acceptable" when they see it on TV.

Sorry, but I cannot seem to work up outrage about this.

And I think this is the kind of thread that the media pick up on and gets everyone eyerolling at the Mumsnet harpies huffing about something that most don't even notice.

It is all a bit bosom-hoiking faux-outrage Mary-Whitehouse.

I am shocked. DD (4) is just starting to get into cbbc rather than cbeebies and I thought the programmes would be suitable (if a bit harder to follow for a younger child). I will be wary of her watching tb now.

I have no real problem with swearing but at teatime I do think that's unacceptable. As a teacher there is no way I would allow anyone to say shit in the classroom, and I think that's the level of language we should expect on programmes aimed at children (and young children from about 6+ would watch Tracy Beaker, in practice).

I can't stand TB either but I let my DC watch CBBC on the basis I had assumed it was appropriate for 'children' as CBBC is 'children's BBC'. I don't think children hearing 'shit' on TV is appropriate - as oppsed to watching shit too - I don't allow my 10yo DS to use the word and won't when he's a teenager either but if TB says it then perhaps I'm an old fuddy duddy and shit is a word everyone uses and it's OK. I don't think schools would be happy about children using it in school so it shouldn't be on children's TV otherwise it's 'normal'.
Rant over - no yanbu

xposted Brian - I agrre completly you said it in fewer words than me more

So what's to be done about it? Doubt the BBC care tbh

I'm surprised they did this but not actually bothered.

My ds,8, doesn't like Tracey Beaker, I think because most of the themes are too old for him.

Also the use doesn't represent any decline in standards. 'Shit' has become more acceptable, other words less so - for example racial slang that was considered acceptable in the 70s. I'd never use those words or expect to see them on Mumsnet, which means they're now way beyond 'cunt'.

Similarly, was reading Harry Potter to ds last night and it had the word bastard..

Cbeebies is for 0-6 years, cbbc for 6-12 years.

Although I am not outraged and would hate to see some campaign, it's a shame cbbc couldn't be a place without it.

Remember the Young Ones Grange Hill, 'we're the only kids who don't say f...' It was funny, but true, and ok.

Aimed at teens or whoever, should WE be paying for this level of script writing to satisfy very influential minds?
As 'LineRunner' rightly points out the script writers of Corry & Enders are still able to portray 'Life' (?) without resorting to any expletive language, which is definitely not aimed at the teen viewer.

As license fee payers should we not expect better?

Funnily enough, I've just been told off by DH for saying shit in front of the DC. I was plugged in to my ipod and it suddenly went really loud on its own.

DC1 just said 'it's ok dad, that's a swear I learnt at school already'

I'm trying, but I just can't care. It's a word. Tracey Beaker is shit anyway. And I like to blame the series for the downfall of society...

Good point, Sherbert.

Language does not stay still, it evolved.

There are words that are no longer deemed acceptable, that were acceptable when I was growing up.

My mum never said, "Shit" in front of her mum until I was about 8yo, but I occasionally say, "Fuck" in front of my mum.

My granny would pull my lugs for it, if she was still alive.

I'm with Brian on this.

Yes my child hears swearing at school. I don't swear in front of her, I wouldn't expect her teachers to and swearing is not allowed in many workplaces. Why does the beeb think children's tv cannot portray drama without the word shit?

As CBBC is aimed at over sixes I think shit at 5pm is not on. Not on at all.

Can't believe anyone thinks this is ok. YANBU.

It's just unnecessary i would gave thought it also breaches broadcasting guidelines ( google ofcom's offensive language guidelines) which state that strong language shouldn't be used if children are likely to be watching.

Children will hear swearwords

It isn't aimed at teens though is it? I can't imagine many teens watching it. The children I know that watch it are aged between 5-10.

It is not acceptable for any swearing to feature on cbbc, cbbc is aimed at the over 6's. Children should be able to watch CBBC without listening to bad language.

I remember watching Watership Down when I was about 8 and the vulture tells someone to "Piss Off" I was always surprised that that there wasn't an uproar. Perhaps things were different back then.

YABU. What should he have said? "it made me feel horrid".

You might like it or want to accept it but most 8 year olds will have heard the word shit before - even those who attend fee paying schools. If they haven't I'd venture to suggest they lead exceptionally sheltered lives that will not stand them in good stead for a future in the real world.

The irony of your complaint is that the BBC are trying to script drama which children can relate to. Like it or not, most children will relate to what you are so strongly reacting to. It's not aimed at you, it's aimed at kids. You are not supposed to relate to it, which is probably why you don't/can't.

YANBU.

I like a bit of swearing as much as the next person, but it's children's telly! No use saying 'is it aimed at teens' it's on a children's channel, it's for children.

I am shocked TBH. It's unnecessary.

I think if we don't register that we are unhappy it will just be accepted, and there will be no boundaries left. :(

It's just a word, and was used in context. There is a lot worse to be heard at school!

I don't think TB is a programme for younger children either, more for children of an age where they understand they shouldn't repeat swear words they hear and why not to.

Programmes reflect reality - if you think 7yos never have heard the word "shit" nor used it - then you aren't in and around schools very much.

You are easily shocked ,you lot then

YANBU, I'm shocked the BBC would tthink it acceptable on a children's channel.