Broadband News

Music downloads to give ‘explicit’
parental advice

Wednesday 21 December, 2011

By Anthony Hill

Parents will be clearly informed when a song is unsuitable for younger ears

Concerned mums and dads now have more control over what their children download.

The ‘Explicit Content’ logo present on physical CDs will now appear beside digital songs and albums available to download from all major online stores.

Apple’s iTunes catalogue has been displaying the logo for some time, but now MP3 sellers Amazon, HMV.com, Napster UK, eMusic, 7Digital and Tesco, as well as music video site Vevo, have agreed to follow the scheme, placing clear warnings on material inappropriate for kids.

In addition to the logo, a new website (www.parental-advisory.co.uk) has been launched as a helpful source of advice and information for parents to ensure their youngsters stay safe online.

Geoff Taylor, chief executive of the BPI, the music industry group behind the initiative, said: “We know that the parental advisory logo on CDs and DVDs has been a useful tool for parents, offering them a simple means of identifying music content that may not be suitable for their children.

“We believe that parents need the same guidance when their children are downloading or streaming songs or videos online, so we have extended the logo to digital music services. Our new website gives parents the details they need.”

Research from the BPI suggests that children across the UK will receive up to £110million in music vouchers this Christmas, with many able to be redeemed via online services.

Meanwhile, new albums from Rihanna, Justin Bieber and One Direction are among the most popular CD stocking fillers this year, while a posthumous Amy Winehouse release has also proved a hit.