The Prime Minister has announced a scheme to put age ratings on online music videos.
David Cameron mentioned it during a speech about families and admits he has banned his own children from watching certain content online.
Only three of the major UK record labels- Sony, Warner and Universal have signed up to the scheme, alongside YouTube and Vevo and will begin in October with the British Board of Classification.
Parents and celebrities have often spoken out about music videos, calling many overtly sexual and lyrics too explicit. In 2011 Gary Barlow, a father to three children, criticised “sexual” imagery in many videos.
Singer Katy B who is signed to Columbia Records told Newsbeat she thinks the ratings move is a good idea.
“I think that’s amazing. I think it’s good. I don’t know why they haven’t done that sooner,” she said. “I think that people should be able to express themselves the way that they want to.”
Because artists like Rihanna, Beyonce and Miley Cyrus are signed to the American arm of the big labels, they will not be included in the new age classifications.
The body which represents the UK’s biggest record labels- the BPI, says it agrees with the government that “content is made available to the public in a responsible way”.
“The BPI and its members are therefore working with the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), Digital Service Providers (DSPs) and with the support of government on a pilot scheme that will trial age ratings for music videos released online through the UK”.
How it will work is still being developed, but the scheme will see UK record labels voluntarily provide content which will then be rated suitable for 12 or above.
The classification age categories will be 12, 15 or 18.
The BPI goes on: “Labels will then include this data with a ‘parental advisory’ style alert in its feed to the Digital Service Providers so that users, including parents, can make a more informed viewing decision.”
Vevo have signed up to the pilot but in March 2012 but doubted that such a system could work as many American artists- known for being racier will not be certified.