Subject: Age inappropriate content in daytime broadcast: Spiderman (eTV)
Dear Sir/Madam
I wish to lodge a complaint about daytime TV content that is not appropriate for the consumptin of children who have free access to it during the afternoon.
I was in the lounge this afternoon with my two sons, aged 7 and 10, having come home from work earlier than usual. They were watching a PVR recording of an episode of one of their favourite cartoon characters, Spiderman. As I watched with them I became more and more worried about the content: sexually suggestive dialogue and imagery, as well as cussing.
The particular episode of Spiderman (animated), episode 2, had been broadcast on eTV on 28 August 2012 at 15h30, a time when I'm sure many school-going children are watching. The opening scene featured The Spiderman cussing "dammit". The opening credits featured The Spiderman in a passionate lip lock with a young woman. In a scence soon after, a young woman shouts to Spiderman's friend, "If you need some inspiration, I'm getting naked down here" (they apparently did not know each other at this point). The bodily forms of the young women are all exaggerated to be super-curvaceous and extra perky, and the young men have perfect physiques. Later, I heard the word "crap" used. The friends, in their banter while Spiderman's friend prepares dinner for four, speculate: "Ooh! Maybe she's like 40, and that's why he's been hiding her". Also, there was a morning scene suggesting that the young woman had spent the night with Spiderman's friend.
I wonder if at this stage you might be thinking that I'm some ultra-conservative, overly-religious, over-protective parent who hovers over their children all day. I assure you this is not so: all of what I described took place within the space of the first 10 minutes of the show! I am fully aware of my own role as a parent, and will not hesitate to caution my boys against the use of bad language, as well as violence should I be aware of them witnessing it on TV or a movie. I do take exception to children being exposed to sexual imagery, especially when it is stealthily presented in the form of an otherwise popular character.
I would urge your speedy reviewing of the appropriateness of this show at the time it is broadcast. I'm sure it is alright for teenagers, but during the afternoon children of all ages are watching TV.
Sincerely
