More research call on 'sexy' child products

Published on Tuesday 13 January 2009 22:02

MSPs have called for more research into whether the prominence of sexual imagery on goods aimed at children poses a real danger.

However, the members of Holyrood's equal opportunities committee have postponed a decision on whether to hold a full-scale inquiry into the issue.

Last month the committee had preliminary discussions with charities and academics over whether Bratz dolls, Playboy pencil cases, make-up for seven-year-olds and other goods were damaging Scotland's youth.

Despite being invited, Playboy and other retail organisations refused to attend the meeting.

Yesterday, the committee was supposed to decide whether to go ahead with the inquiry urged on them by the charities and academics.

However, there was disagreement amongst MSPs and a final decision has been postponed. Holyrood has a 160,000 budget for all its committees to use over the year.

The committee decided to discuss the research proposal at a future meeting before making a final decision on whether to proceed with the investigation.

Liberal Democrat Hugh O'Donnell said the concerns were based on anecdotal evidence and that the extent of public concern has to be established.

"I have to say my particular constituency mailbag hasn't been jammed with concern about that," he said.

SNP MSP Sandra White said: "We do need more research. I think there is some evidence to show that the goods we're talking about do sexualise children."

Labour MSP Malcolm Chisholm questioned whether Holyrood had any scope to investigate the issue.