ABSTRACT
One of the key concerns about television centres on the suitability of programmes for children. Younger members of the audience are generally regarded as lacking the psychological maturity to cope with certain types of programming and should therefore be protected from exposure to unsuitable content as far as possible. At the same time, only around one in three television households have children aged up to 15 years resident in them, leaving a great majority occupied by adult viewers only. As well as the need to protect children, there is also a need to cater for the mature tastes of the wider adult audience. For this reason, broadcasters employ a Family Viewing Policy which aims to create a balance between these two sets of needs. Up to 9.00 pm in the evening, no material may be shown which is unsuitable for children. After 9.00 pm there is a gradual relaxation of that rule.
