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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be cross at films being shown during the day that are not PG or less rating?

45 replies

Bizarrelife · 27/10/2012 20:35

My 7 year old was watching a film this afternoon on Watch channel (so freeview channel not movie channel) that my elder child pointed out to me was a 12 rating as they have the DVD upstairs in their bedroom.

As soon as it was pointed out my youngest apologised and turned to a children's channel.

My dh says that if its during the day they can watch it as it must be family viewing.

Admittadely if we didn't have dvd then I wouldn't know rating and it doesn't say it anywhere on the TV.

So if it is before watershed, should I let my dc watch the film as dh says?

Or AIBU to think tv companies shouldn't show 12 or higher ratings during the day?

OP posts:
MidniteScribbler · 27/10/2012 22:30

Why should I be forced to watch childrens programs on television during the day because you can't control what your children watch? Set up parental controls or monitor them. You failure to supervise your children does not constitute a problem that needs to be fixed by anyone other than yourself.

BertieBotts · 27/10/2012 22:30

There is a watershed though, and if it exists, it should be stuck to. House used to be shown in the daytime on Channel 5 when DS was about 2 and the DVDs of that are 15s! I used to watch it while he had his nap, but after one episode I saw which had quite a graphic/potentially frightening scene in it, I decided to stop in case he woke up early.

Personally I'm in favour of abandoning the watershed in favour of TV ratings like they have in other countries, where a programme is rated (much like a BBFC, film age rating) and the rating is displayed at the beginning of the programme and after ad breaks.

ddubsgirl · 27/10/2012 22:35

pretty sure jurssic park was on tv the other day

ChippingInLovesAutumn · 27/10/2012 22:36

There are LOADS of channels now, it's ridiculous to expect them to all show things suitable for children. Jeremy Kyle, for example, is worse than any 12 rated film I've ever seen - ask your DH if he thinks that is suitable for children Hmm. Watershed is an outdated notion these days.

ddubsgirl · 27/10/2012 22:38

yep csi is on in the day hardly pg!

Original poster
Bizarrelife · 27/10/2012 22:40

Bertie that's what I think - having something such as the watershed gives false sense of security to films.

And I am talking films rather than programmes. Films are rated, can't watch in the cinema, can't purchase the DVD, but can watch on ITV3 on a Saturday afternoon.

I think they should either not show them or state at the start what the rating is.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 27/10/2012 22:42

They normally do state the ratings at the start...and when you press the TV info button.

exexpat · 27/10/2012 22:45

Lots of daytime TV is unsuitable for children. What time is Jeremy Kyle on, for example? I certainly don't think that would be suitable viewing for my 10yo. You need to check what they're watching.

Original poster
Bizarrelife · 27/10/2012 22:45

I didn't see start of today's one, but dh said it wasn't on there.

And def wasn't on TV info as I pulled it up to try and prove point to dh, and it wasn't there.

OP posts:
OddBoots · 27/10/2012 22:49

I think it would be a good move to have a rating for TV programmes and integrate that into the digital TV system to allow people to set controls. It would be very interesting to see how programmes like JK and EastEnders are rated.

MrsCantSayAnything · 27/10/2012 22:55

Ghost Whisperer is on in the daytime and that's horrid at times. The whole SKY thing has changed TV and now we all need parental controls.

Mrsjay · 27/10/2012 22:56

the US had tv ratings doesn't it I have seen pg 13 on some american jerry springer programes on sky

Alisvolatpropiis · 28/10/2012 00:12

YABU - the world doesn't revolve around children and adults who may have the day off may not actually want to watch Disney films.

12ylnon · 28/10/2012 07:18

Yabu, adults and teenagers watch tv in the day too!
The best thing to do is to look up the film on imdb.com and check the 'parents guide' for it, which gives a detailed explanation of all of the scary/sexy bits- it's what I do for most pgs, as the ratings can be really odd, eg Jurassic park, which, while my own DS (7) is scared of nothing and can handle it, I know it would terrify a lot of young children.

newyearnewattitude · 28/10/2012 09:50

I think the watershed only applies to the core channels, ie bbc1, bbc2, ITV, channel 4 & 5, other channels (freebies/sky) are exempt as they are 'premium/optional' channels

Have a read of this downloads.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/research/watershed.pdf

But basically it's your responsibility as a parent to monitor tv viewing

BeauNeidel · 28/10/2012 09:58

I've always thought this too - it didn't even occur to me that adults in during the day would want to watch 'unsuitable for children tv' Blush. I've not always been a parent by the way!

I find it more odd when they put things like Ratatouille on, on Sunday even starting at 7.30pm. My children would like to watch it, but they are AWFUL the next day if not in bed by 7pm so they don't. Do adults routinely sit down to a Disney film of an evening? Confused

sayithowitis · 28/10/2012 10:04

Sorry, I agree with those who say it is your responsibility to police what your children watch. When ours were younger, we just set the parental controls to reflect their ages at the time. BUT, that did not mean we never checked on other programmes that were 'unlimited' as it were. If I remember correctly, it was also possible to set whole channels so that we needed the PIN to watch, we did this to cover channels that did not automatically trigger the PIN requirement.

I pay a lot for the channels I subscribe to and I expect to be able to watch films etc when it suits me, not when it suits you and your children.

Melpomene · 28/10/2012 10:15

Yes, you do have to be careful as many of the satellite/cable channels don't really follow the 'watershed'.

One time my dd(7) switched on the TV at about 5pm (with my permission) while I was in the next room, and was upset to see a scene of "blood and people being hurt". By the time I cam back into the room she had changed the channel, but I checked the listings and I think it must have been ER which is shown on Sky Atlantic. Dh and I had left it on that channel from the previous evening.

DD doesn't scare easily when it comes to films and has seen Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter etc without being upset. However, the ER DVDs are 15 certificate so I suppose the scene she saw could have been gory Sad

So it can be hard to avoid unsuitable programmes but on balance it's right that it's the parents' responsibility to monitor.

Panzee · 28/10/2012 10:17

Don't worry, it'll be cut.

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