Audience Attitudes to Offensive Content Changing
- This research explores adult perceptions of potentially harmful or offensive content in media.
- * The research acknowledges that "offence" is subjective, with no guaranteed right not to be offended.
- * most adults (almost 70%) are not concerned about encountering harmful/offensive content.
Summary of the Research Findings on Harmful/offensive Content:
This research explores adult perceptions of potentially harmful or offensive content in media. HereS a breakdown of the key findings:
Defining Offense & Regulation:
* The research acknowledges that “offence” is subjective, with no guaranteed right not to be offended. “Undue offence” is defined as content that crosses a line causing serious or widespread impact.
* A majority of respondents believe existing content regulation by providers and/or the government is effective.
Overall Attitudes:
* most adults (almost 70%) are not concerned about encountering harmful/offensive content.
* Those unconcerned cite either not being easily offended (62%) or believing media shoudl reflect “the realities of life” (47%).
Specific Concerns:
* Of the 33% who are concerned, dangerous/harmful behaviours and violence are the biggest worries (56%).
* Strong language is the least concerning.
* Substance abuse is the most concerning specific “dangerous behavior,” and graphic violence is the most concerning type of violent content.
Content & genre Preferences:
* A clear majority would continue watching potentially harmful/offensive content even with warnings.
* Age classifications are seen as the most appropriate protective measure, preferred over content warnings or stricter regulation.
* Reality TV is the genre causing the most concern, followed by drama and fictional programming.
Parental Concerns:
* Parents (52%) are significantly more concerned than non-parents (23%).
* Parental concern decreases with the age of their children, as they see themselves as the primary “gatekeepers” of content for younger kids.
Influence of the Internet:
* The internet, particularly movements like #MeToo, is influencing how adults interpret media content, potentially lessening concern over some types of material.
In essence, the research suggests a generally tolerant attitude towards potentially harmful/offensive content among adults, with a reliance on existing regulation and age classifications, and a significant difference in concern levels between parents and non-parents.