Mal Fletcher comments on the role of parents, schools and government in sex education



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It is time for social media and media in general to start censoring sexualised material that is clearly harmful to children.

Censorship is not the dirty word some would have us believe it is.

Every government, of whatever political persuasion, practices censorship, particularly where children are concerned.

Films are given certain ratings - though arguably ratings are not supported with adequate legislation against abuse.

On British television, the watershed is designed to rule out adult programming when it might be seen by children.

These are both forms of soft censorship.

Some argue that the TV watershed is an anachronism, which has little impact in the age of the mobile internet.

This, however, provides part of the reason for strengthening the watershed - and applying some type of censorship to public internet sites. The more potentially damaging material is available to children, the more censorship is needed.

When it comes to social media companies, of course, a more realistic approach would be to encourage greater self-censorship.

For their part, governments might take a carrot-and-stick approach to these groups. They should be offered incentives - possibly tax breaks or government contracts - as the carrot, with tighter regulation as the stick.

Without completely killing its frontier spirit, the cybersphere must be seen more as a public utility than a private fiefdom for billionaire cyber-CEOs.

Does government have any role to play in providing sex education? Its major roles should include supporting parents in their training of children for relationships.

It should provide strong legal protections against the promotion of material that might be injurious to children. It should maintain reasonable and realistic provisions against bullying or violence.

Government should also offer, as part of school curricula, training in the biology of sex - and general support in the development of healthy respect.

It should not, however, operate with the deluded belief that government proxies are best equipped to be the primary instructors on sex.

Parents must step up to the plate on that one - and have the support of government, schools and social media in doing so. CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.