MTV Discovers That There Are Still Boundaries in America

MTV has a controversial new series about a group of hard-partying, drug-taking, sexually active teenagers. But it turns out the network may be breaking the law by showing  depictions of teens having sex :

Child pornography is defined by the United States as any visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In some cases, “a picture of a naked child may constitute illegal child pornography if it is sufficiently sexually suggestive,” according to the Justice Department’s legal guidance. Anyone younger than 18 is considered to be a minor.

The youngest cast member on “Skins” is 15.

“Skins” is an import from Britain, a country that has historically displayed a higher tolerance for TV eroticism than the United States. The episodes for MTV, including the third one, which was shared with TV critics, are virtually identical to the source material.

The remade episodes, like the ones in Britain, included simulated masturbation, implied sexual assault, and teenagers disrobing and getting into bed together.

To be honest, I’m as shocked as an MTV executive. Who knew there were still boundaries left to violate in America?

What is not shocking, of course, is that such trash in popular with actual teens: According to the Nielsen Company, the first episode drew 1.2 million people younger than eighteen.