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?

MrsJay
I guess it depends on the family. I don't normally use it in front of my kids, but would not worry if I used it in a moment of shock, or when I dropped something. In fact, when I think about it, I do say shhhhhhhhhhhhhugar quite often.

My DC are 7yo and 9yo and I would not like them to use it now, but would not mind when they are slightly older.

I would err on the cautious side about using swear words at work or with new friends, but with friends and family I would not censor myself (unless young children are about).

He said sick.

The funny thing us, my DCs watched it yesterday, 15 and 13.

Thay came running through saying Mum post on Mumsnet, they said shit on Tracy Beaker!

Yep just watched it 4 times (that bit not the whole program) It's sick in a terrible accent but defenately sick or shick to be exact

well i watched it it was sick its the boys accent i didnt even think he said shit when i heard it ,

I don't see the relevance between the language I use in front of dcs/allow them to use and the language used in a film or book

dd read Macbeth in primary school. Does that mean the school thinks I'd be ok with that kind of behaviour? Or that kind of language for that matter?

Now DS and I have caught up on the whole episode (yes sad I know!) when we watched it it definatly sounded more like sick than when I just watched the specific bit.

Perhaps the BBC has a case for complaining about a precious, hysterical parent bismirching its good name on a public forum by going off half cocked and wrongly accusing it of scripting bad language into its pre watershed children's drama?

Perhaps an apology is due from the OP....? Or is she too ?

Just saw this thread and wanted to confirm that the BBC are not allowed to have swearing before 9pm. Films shown before the watershed will have swearing dubbed out or edited.
I also know that there are various people who see programmes before they go to air, including the Compliance department, and any swearing etc should be flagged up before transmission.

Hmm, I'm sure I've heard swearing on Top Gear before 9pm - ds has picked up on it and asked me 'what's shit, Mummy'? (Or it could have been another mild swear word, can't remember.)

The continuity announcers on Channel 4 are ridiculous. Around the time of Hollyoaks they try to sound all young and trendy, but in the worse ways possible.
One of them described something unfortunate as being "so gay"..... another referred to a character in a programme as a "slut". I think its obscene.

I cant believe some people think that it was ok for it to have sworn...I know we have established now that it didnt but if it had been swearing I would have been very shocked.
Just because kids are swearing in the playground at school that doesnt make it ok and if one of my children were to come out and say shit they would be told off for it. Im glad it turned out to be "sick"

Not read all of thread yet but I watched this episode with six year old dd and sort of did a gasp when I heard that word but dd laughed and said he said "sick".

Should have read whole thread.

The use of the language doesn't offend me in any way, and, from the scenario given in the programme it's not exactly inappropriate. For an audience of teens/almost teens it is not offensive or upsetting either, but I do think that airing it at 5pm if that's the audience then it's somewhat inappropriate. Perhaps the prog should be moved to a later slot.
I don't think YABU though - I would say you're justified in making a complaint about the time this was aired and how it was inappropriate.

THERE WAS NO SWEARING ON TRACY BEAKER!!
Red, fwiw, TB is effectively aimed at 6+yo kids, as it is shown on CBBC. However, that is irrelevant, since it didnt include swearing anyway!

Re Top Gear, it is expected, iyswim, that there will be strong language of some sort, so is basically the exception to the rule.

I do find it weird, tho, that progs like Eastenders show/discuss people being beaten up/murdered/raped etc, but they never swear at each other

I once complained about the use of the word 'minging' in an advert on Nick Jr many years ago. I was told it was being banned from broadcast on their channel and I didn't see it shown on there again. My point was not that it was such a bad word (although I think it is horrible) but that I wouldn't want to hear my pre-schooler using it in every day conversation.

Thanks Spanish - I haven't watched it but my niece who is just pre-teen likes the books. I suppose I ought to have looked on iplayer to see for myself! :)

I don't really think it matters who the programme's 'aimed at'. I'm quite sure many households have children of various ages under the same roof, and I'm sure it's probably quite difficult to stop the younger ones watching the same as the older ones. I also have the opinion that a channel totally dedicated to children of various ages should air swearing. (Or films for that matter).
I don't think I'd get up in arms about it, but can't believe the amount of people that think it's absolutely fine. In fact, I'm pretty shocked.

I also haven't watched it myself, will do now though.

Holy shit, this is the funniest thread ever

I just wish someone would think of the children!

I see the professionally offended brigade are out in force. If people think something isn't suitable for the delicate ears of their children, they should monitor what their children watch and turn the TV off as appropriate.

If the TV is left constantly on and used as talking wallpaper/babysitter by lazy parents then there is a good chance that kids will see something that isn't meant for them.

It is unreasonable to expect that every programme made will be suitable for a toddler and that includes stuff before the watershed and on CBBC, if it is aimed at older children/young teens.

It would be terrible if TV was so bland because nothing could offend anyone ever.

Uttering the words "professionally offended" means you instantly lose the argument, I'm afraid.

And I agree with you.

So thanks for losing the argument for us.