Following the Bailey review, which found that children are increasingly exposed to sexualised imagery and commercialisation from these sources, the DfE has published a series of proposals aimed at protecting them from these pressures. The plans include:

• consulting on whether the age rating system for video should be extended to cover more music DVDs and Blu-ray discs
• introducing more warnings on explicit videos where they are shown online
• ensuring that where possible parents have the option of controls that will hide content unsuitable for children
• taking forward the final stage of legislation needed so that the planned new system of age classification and labelling for videogames giving clearer age ratings and advice for parents can start in July
• considering whether more should be done to explain the commercial intent of ‘advergames’ to young people and their parents.

These proposals are aimed at children and their parents, but schools also play an important role in helping children to deal with social pressures. One big challenge for schools is to ensure that the message reaches beyond the school gates. Programmes such as Family SEAL can support parents and carers in positively reinforcing at home the skills being taught at school; follow the link to learn more.