“Sexualized” pop stars are more of a threat to children using the Internet than hard-core pornography, says a U.K. expert on child protection.
Jim Gamble, former head of a British government task force on child protection and chairman of a London-based group for safeguarding children, says “highly sexualized” singers such as Miley Cyrus have a “far greater” impact on young people than the worst kinds of pornography.
Addressing a government committee on culture, media and sports, he told MPs that unlike pornography, there is “no filter” for children’s viewing of such celebrities.
“I think there is far too great focus and emphasis on (the online pornography) side of the debate,” Gamble said. “If you look at Miley Cyrus, if you look at some of the other pop stars and their behaviour, that has a far greater and much more easily accessible influence on young people today than actually seeing adult, or hard-core, pornography, for that matter.