Teen-age Magazines Decried (Press, 3 November 1986)
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Summary: Teen-age Magazines Decried (Press, 3 November 1986)
A report published by the charity Family and Youth Concern has raised alarming concerns about the content of magazines aimed at teenagers in Britain, with particularly shocking findings regarding the prevalence of sex, violence, obscene language, and themes of black magic. The report describes many of these publications, some of which are accessible to children as young as 11, as little more than “light pornography.” The study involved sixteen mothers who scrutinised these publications over a period of 17 months and found that the “New Musical Express,” a widely read rock newspaper, epitomised their concerns. Valerie Riches, the charity's national secretary, highlighted the magazine's focus on homosexual contact groups, obscene language, and crude sexual references, as well as a notable fascination with the occult. Another magazine under scrutiny was “Just Seventeen,” which targets readers aged 11 to 17. The report observed that the magazine adopted a flippant tone, suggesting that the primary concern of its audience was related to sexual matters, including discussions around their own activities and those of popular figures. The report mentioned that while many articles lacked explicit content, they nonetheless evoked unhealthy imagination in young readers. While “Jackie,” aimed at those aged 12 to 16, was identified as a more “wholesome” publication amidst the criticism, it too faced scrutiny over certain articles. The mothers involved in the study expressed their shock at the content, with Mrs Yolanda Williams, the group’s leader and a mother of two teenage daughters, calling for government intervention to safeguard young audiences. She urged those connected with these publications to take measures to improve content standards. In response to the report, Danny Kelly, deputy editor of the “New Musical Express,” expressed his discomfort with the findings, noting that while the magazine covers contentious topics, it maintains a commitment to high-quality journalism. He pointed out that the publication has an average reader age of 20, indicating it is not primarily aimed at children. A representative from “Just Seventeen” defended the magazine, asserting that its articles presented information honestly, suggesting that teenagers would learn about these issues regardless of the publication's content. The report ultimately calls for a significant reassessment of the messages conveyed to the youth of the nation, urging the need for cleaner content in magazines targeting young readers.
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