BBC sex education video 'is like porn': MP criticises explicit material and use of naked men in film for nine-year-old pupilsChildren are also shown animated cartoon couple making love
Video includes information on 'wet dreams' and masturbation
MP wants cinema-style ratings on sex education films for teachers
By Emily Allen
12th January 2012
A sex education video produced by the BBC for children as young as nine has been criticised as being 'like a blue movie' by an MP who said the material is 'shattering the innocence of childhood'.
The video aims to teach children aged between nine and 11 about growing up, the cycle of life, feelings, family life and friendship.
But included in the CD-ROM is an animated video of two cartoon characters making love and a computer-generated sequence showing a couple having sex, accompanied by a graphic explanation.
There is also footage of a naked man and woman, used to demonstrate the differences between the sexes, information about 'wet dreams' and masturbation, and graphic diagrams of genitalia.
Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom said: 'This material is explicit. It is shattering the innocence of childhood.'
Mrs Leadsom, who has raised the issue in Parliament, including presenting a petition after being contacted by concerned parents last year, said she was embarrassed by the film, adding: 'It was like a blue movie'.
She said: 'Parents don't feel their views are being consulted. My son was shown it four years ago. I was told it was by the BBC and I was told it was called 'Living and Growing' and you just expect if it's by the BBC it will be okay.
'I was utterly shocked by it when I saw it.'
Mrs Leadsom said parents were particularly upset by the computer-generated images of a couple having sex.
She said: 'You see an erection and penetration and that's completely astonishing.'
The other scenes which angered parents was the cartoon of two people making love.
She said: 'It looks bizarre, it's not missionary, the woman is on top and there's a children's voiceover saying something like 'Ooh, it looks like they are having fun.'
'Why is there a young child appearing to watch them?'
She said parents who had contacted her trusted their instincts with regards to their children and felt the footage was 'absolutely wrong'.
She wants sex education films to be given a film-style rating to act as a guide for teachers.
Education minister Nick Gibb promised to look into the matter too.
The Sex and Relationship Education CD-Rom, produced by BBC Active, goes on to discuss the emotional aspects of relationships including sexual feelings and same-sex crushes as well as marriage.
In addition, it covers internet safety and how children can keep themselves safe.
The BBC stands by the film, saying it has been put together after consultation with local authorities and experts in education.
BBC Active told the newspaper: 'All our resources provide clear guidance on age suitability.
'They are designed to allow teachers to pick and choose the elements they feel are appropriate.'
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