Parent group condemns MTV show for its risky content

By Staff Writer

The new MTV series Skins has been called the "most dangerous television show for children that we have ever seen" by the Parents Television Council (PTC).

The show has yet to debut but it has already received harsh criticism for its explicit and potentially harmful content. Skins, which has been marketed for adolescents, is a fictional series about the risky behavior of a group of teens, which includes sex and drug abuse.

PTC's president Tim Winter claimed that the program glorifies the lives of problem teens who lie to their parents and engage in risky behavior. The group added that other TV shows, like Gossip Girl, have depicted dangerous activities among teenagers, but none on the scale of Skins. While the show is rated TV-MA, it appears on a network - and in a time slot - that can be easily viewed by kids.

The PTC is encouraging concerned parents to sign a petition for Cable Choice, which is a program that would allow homeowners to select, and pay for, only the channels that they want to watch.

Problem teens who watch explicit programming may benefit from tough love. Parents and guardians may consider setting limits on their access to television, video games or online access.