Big Brother psychologist Dr. Linda Papadopoulos has laid some of the blame for the 'sexualisation' of children at the door of video games.
According to The Evening Standard, Papadopoulos 'criticised computer games containing highly sexual content, such as Miss Bimbo, in which girls compete to accumulate boob jobs in order to marry a billionaire'.
The story was followed up by The Telegraph this morning, which printed: 'Children are being sexualised from an increasingly early age by computer games, pornography and sex-related slogans, a government report will warn.'
Papadopoulos also pointed the finger at pornography and 'lads mags' such as Zoo and Nuts in her findings.
Her full report is due to be published by the Home Office in two weeks.
I'm trying to think of a videogame with sexual content that even approaches the level of explicitness that you could see on BBC1 after 9pm, or on the cover of magazines in any newsagent.
There are a couple, but they all have 15 or 18 certificates. Unlike TV or magazines, you have to very deliberately go out and buy these games to see their content.
And yet video games were the first thing on her list of things that are sexualising children.
How about easy access to porn for teenagers via the internet? That must be a pretty big culprit.
watch realty TV after 9 or paratically anything after 9 is much more accesable to kid than getting games that are sexualized. i've never played a game yet other than god of war and oblivion that has shown any boobs and even then its easy to miss them out or not download the mod
and the best example they could come up with is some s**tty in-browser webgame? Thats not a video game. thats like saying too many movies have terrible camera work, just because you found a really shaky clip on youtube.
if one this is true of the internet its that if you want to find something awful, it wont take you very long at all.
lol what is she on about with all the stuff they can see on the internet, dvd's, tele it makes you laugh when people come out these comments, at the end of the day it's down to the parents and honestly if you try and act out what you see on games and films etc. your not all there anyway!
I dont see what all the fuss is about. Videogames are harmless(unless Dvd's have sharp edge's) But really, ban alcohol and legalise weed first, or shut the f**k up!
Anyone else noticed that she's slagged off a game called Bimbo that gets its content from reality tv shows which is her actual career so basically she's shooting herself in the god damn foot and filling her own duff! stoopid dr where you get you're phd from?
I tried to post a comment a few times but the Forums went down on me. Fnarr Fnarr!.
There is more titillation in Dr Linda’s own TV documentary “My Big Breasts & Me”.
The recent outburst, or hang-ups (rather than hangovers, or hangouts, as discussed in the aforementioned programme from mammary], must be because she has a new book to promote:
oh dear - it's a new point against games - if you really want to get to the heart of the issue it's more about a series of discourses and institutions spreading the idea of sexualising people at a younger age.
If anything I'd say fashion is one big one. Girls are especially made to look up to fashion models who are shown to be sexy all the time. Also other media sources that encourage people to "look" a certain way that people eat up like hamburgers.
You see 10 year olds in high heels and crop tops, yeah...it gets a bit weird and f**king stupid.
Okay it's a new one on the war on video games but all I can say is NEXT!
'Sex-related slogans' are sexualising children. Well, duh, that's because they're sex related. And, hand on heart, has anyone played this 'Bimbo' game Miss PopalomudumarundimapirateDUMDUMDUM! speaks of?
Your beef is with browser-based games created by independent weirdos, not legitimate titles created by developers with a reputation to protect, and a modicum of good taste.
With the way Dr Popadom makes herself look every time she is on a tv screen you'd think she was in a lads mag, and yeah... Duke Nukem totally turned me...
I like how the one example briefly mentioned is a game few people would have heard of. For it to be a credible argument, known examples ought to be used, and the estimated effects through some research.
Id bet most children are Sexualised/Titillated by most newspapers and Magazines, and not just the men ones! Page 3 models have been titillating young boys for years like Sam Fox, Maria Whitaker and Glamour celebrities like Katie Jordan Price.
“so dad, what’s Katie Famous for” “Getting her big fat Fake Breasts out in the Newspaper!”
Talk about Irony!
Its papers, magazines and reality TV that push these people into stardom and set a bad example if you ask me.
Home office, good Lord, wait for the stampede of Daily mail readers after the hear about the Adult content in Heavy rain.
I think the problem is the word “game”, people associate it with Children. Probably it should be changed to Adult Interactive Entertainment or something. Then people can get off their high horses about games.
She is right I mean after my 5 year old daughter played Bayonetta she started touching herself a lot and taking a big interest in pole dancing .... ow wait that was me.
I was interested in this article till I read the first three words, "Big Brother psychologist..." Isn't that an oxymoron? Couldn't take it seriously after that.
I'm really sick of prude soccer moms that condemn sexuality. If a child sees a girls snatch it'll destroy their fragile little life, but blowing peoples brains out is perfectly healthy. Just be glad they are interested about sex instead of wanting to blast hordes of people away with a shotgun. What do you think is more destructive sex or violence?? Get with the times lady. Our modern society is very advanced and we are exposed to things very early in life. Its always better to be educated than to be left in the dark and curious. To know right from wrong, instead of doing something stupid when you didn't know any better. And to put blame on video games is absolutely insane, its one of the only mediums where sexuality is very subtle. All in all to put the blame on anything is completely ridiculous. Shes trying to turn our society into a bunch of close-minded prudes. Sex is a very natural part of life and should not be condemned for any reason. Children just need better education on the subject
Rather than attacking Video Games for 'sexualising children' how about having a go at Tescos and Asda who sell push up bras for F**KING for 9 year olds!!
Society is f**ked up but its certainly not Gaming thats to blame.
I think the problem is the word “game”, people associate it with Children. Probably it should be changed to Adult Interactive Entertainment or something. Then people can get off their high horses about games.
I was thinking exactly this the other day (don't ask).
It's a good point though; change the name of games, world!
Bet she anint seen most teenager phones full up wih porn or been off to partys where they get stoned and shag anyone or been to school in ireland where i live you get sex education teacher for 8-10 years old where thrre tought how to have sex and put a condom on a bannana
Girls should not play videogames because games are very bad role models for them. Girls should stay playing with their Barbie and Bratz dolls, and those other educational toys they show on TV ads.
But getting serious I thing that Papadopolis person should consult with Medics, Biologist and other people with real studies before talking to the media.
Hang on a minute here...We have trash soaps with people jumping in and out of bed with each other, we have trash American series with desperate women that live in the city bonkin everything that moves. Just how are games any worse that these? Games are set in fantastical worlds and let's give our kids at least the credit for understanding that Mario is not really porkin Peach. Media other than games is so much more easily available that displays sex openly...games don't make killers or perverts, some people are just that way inclined. Sad but true.
Tomorrows chip paper lads, let her have her 15 minutes. It's the last BB this year so she's got f**k all else to do other than try and make a niche elsewhere. The games slagging bandwagon has comfy seats apparently.
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