Sexy pop videos ‘too hot’ for kids: Brit government

London: Music industry chiefs are said to be fuming over British Government’s plan to ban sexy pop videos featuring stars like Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Shakira, Sugababes and The Saturdays. They fear the move could wreck sales of CDs and downloads as well as wipe out a string of TV music channel. Under the proposals, such videos will only appear after the 9pm watershed. The move comes after an official report by a top psychologist warned that the videos show women as “decorative objects” and turn girls on to sex too young. One of the worst offenders is said to be Spears’ Baby One More time vid, in which she dressed as a sexy schoolgirl. Dr Linda Papadopoulos, who produced the report for the Home Office, said little girls are being drip-fed damaging images from music videos and channels which encourage them to see themselves as sex toys under male control. “There is a tendency to view women as objects and accept aggressive attitudes and behaviour,” the Daily Star quoted her as saying. “The images lend credence to the idea that women are there to be used,” she said. But Paul Nicholas, 45, who runs an independent music label, does not agree. “It’s crazy. The vids are just a bit of fun. They are great entertainment and help boost the economy,” he stated. The report also recommended that lads’ mags should not be sold to anyone under 15. “Changing attitudes will take time but it is essential if we are going to stop the sexualisation that leads to violence against girls,” Home Secretary Alan Johnson added. ANI