Parental Advisory Labels Need to Be on Internet Media

The Parental Advisory program needs to be expanded into Internet media so that children are not exposed to topics and subject matter above their ability to understand and/or filter. It has been proven that music affects people's behaviors. Literally thousands of studies have been published that directly equate violence and anti-social behavior with violent and anti-social music and media that children are exposed to. The parental advisory program seeks to help parents know what music out there has objectionable content and/or explicit lyrics so that a parent is able to make an informed choice as to what media their child has access to. I believe that by expanding this program into all forms of transferable media we will be doing our part to help keep our children safe.

In an article on the Recording Industry Association of America webpage, Mitch Bainwol, CEO, had this to say about the current Parental Advisory label:

"All music is not always appropriate for all ages. The music industry takes seriously its responsibility to help parents determine what is and is not appropriate for their children. That's why the record companies have created the Parental Advisory Label. This label is a tool to help parents make the choice about when -- and whether -- their children should be able to listen to a particular recording. Music can be a tremendous tool in fostering dialogue and understanding across generations. Through music, parents or other adults can tune into what kids are thinking and feeling. We need to pay attention to the music children choose and ask questions: why do they like a certain song or album? What do they think the artist is saying? When these opportunities to talk openly are seized, parents, kids AND music are best served."

Parents are responsible for whatever damage a child may do to someone else financially, physically or emotionally. Many families are being destroyed by the acts of a child who has caused damage through physical assaults and violence against classmates or peers. It is time that we give parents the tools they need to help them choose what is acceptable for their children to listen to. In this way we may help remove the cause of some of the disobedient and anti-social behavior being acted out by them.

I believe that all CDs need to have embedded software that transfers the explicit content label to MP3s, WMAs, or any other type of software compression file that can be created from the original media. Parents will be able to, with a quick glance, see what files their children should not have access to and filter out the objectionable content. The label should be embedded inside the music file itself on the compact disc, or placed inside any downloadable file. In order for this to work it needs to be part of the file with no way to be removed without completely destroying the integrity of the media. Some people might argue that, with no way to be removed, it violates the author's freedom of expression and is similar to a "scarlet letter." The problem with this argument is that the parental advisory logo is already on the CDs that they buy. The only thing I want to accomplish here is to expand the logo coverage to copies created from the CD, or original media file, so that all copies of an album or individual tracks therein carry with them the Parental Advisory logo. This should help parents understand when their children have access to potentially dangerous media.

The Parental Advisory logo is not a miracle cure that is going to fix our society by making everyone love their neighbor and lose weight, but I believe it can be a small step towards helping to protect our children. At this point in history many families are losing the battle against immorality in their children's music because it is too hard to listen to every song a child may have access to. By applying this label to all types of media, including Internet media and individual songs, access to explicit lyrics and content will be able to be filtered easily with a quick visual scan of a child's playlist. Parents will have one more tool in their arsenal to help them raise children who will be a benefit to the society in which they live instead of an accident waiting to happen.
Works Cited Recording Industry Association of America. "Issues" 2003. February 21, 2006