PTC urges federal lawmakers to investigate controversial new MTV show

By Staff Writer

The Parents Television Council (PTC) has sent a letter to federal officials that calls for an investigation into the new MTV show "Skins."

According to ABC News, the PTC has sent letters to the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Senate and House Judiciary Committees, regarding concerns that the program uses underage actors in graphic sexual situations. Last week, the watchdog group called Skins the "most dangerous program" ever for children.

According to the organization's website, there were 42 depictions and references to drugs and alcohol in the premiere episode. In addition, the PTC claimed that the show may be in violation of child pornography laws because teen actors as young as 15 contribute to the sexual content on the show.

The PTC also condemned MTV for flaunting its ratings among adolescents following the show's premiere. In the statement, MTV said that Skins debuted with the highest rating among the 12 to 34 demographic in the network's history.

According to The New York Times, some executives at the network have ordered the show's producers to make changes in order to tone down the most explicit content.

Problem teens who abuse drugs or who engage in unhealthy sexual behavior may benefit from tough love. Parents can more strictly monitor their children's social behavior, as well as restrict some of their television viewing.