Skip to content
Blog

New Childnet guide about music, film, TV and the internet

8 April 2013

Keeley Hawes launches online guide as research reveals extent of confusion over pirate sites for film, music and TV.

A campaign to provide clarity for parents was launched today by award-winning Upstairs, Downstairs actress, Keeley Hawes, as a new YouGov study reveals that over a third of parents are unable to spot illegal pirate sites.

  • Over a third of parents unable to spot pirate websites for music, film and TV content

  • Research reveals illegal copycat sites could be misleading consumers to infringe copyright

  • Upstairs Downstairs actress, Keeley Hawes, launches online guide for parents in partnership with internet safety charity, Childnet International

While a third of consumers (36%) [1] admit to accessing entertainment from pirate websites, the online study released today, suggests many more could be being misled into accidental infringement. Copycat sites often charge for film and music and offer payment facilities from trusted providers and carry advertising from well-known brands – all of which can confuse consumers looking for entertainment content online.

The online YouGov study asked 2,061 UK adults to differentiate websites offering music, film and TV illegally from legitimate retailer sites by showing them five de-branded screen-grabs from a selection of pirate and legitimate sites. It revealed:

  • One in four of all UK adults (24%) was unable to differentiate any pirate websites from the real deal
  • Confusion was high among parents in particular: 36% of parents were unable to correctly identify any of the pirate websites
  • Young people aged 18-24 were the least likely to be confused by pirate sites

Research reveals risks attached to pirate sites

The research reveals the safety and security risks associated with pirate sites:

  • One in five (21%) of those who have used pirate websites have encountered viruses that have affected their computer, putting their household’s online security and privacy at risk
  • More than a quarter (27%) were troubled by pop-ups that were difficult to get rid of
  • 7% were exposed to offensive or sexually explicit material instead of the film, TV or music they attempted to access.

Actress launches campaign to support parents

The research builds on Ofcom’s findings last year that 41% [2] of adults are unsure whether the content they are accessing online is legal or not – and points to the need to provide parents, in particular, with greater support.

Upstairs, Downstairs actress and mum of three, Keeley Hawes is teaming up with internet safety charity, Childnet International, to launch an online guide designed to help parents and those who are not confident in their abilities to spot pirate websites. Music, Film, TV and the Internet provides advice on how to determine whether a site is legal or not and points to legal sources of content online.

Keeley Hawes said:

“As a mum, I try to take an active interest in the websites my children visit to get their films and music from. It’s important to know where they can access their favourite songs, films and TV programmes safely and legally both for their protection and my own peace of mind. It’s great to get this advice on this all in one place.”

Responding to the research, Lucinda Fell, Director of Policy at Childnet International, said:

“We know that many parents are concerned about keeping up with what their children are doing online and accessing digital content can be a particularly unclear area. We know from our work in schools, and as this study shows, it can be confusing to know what can and can’t be done safely and legally online.
“This advice on accessing music, film and TV content online gives parents and carers practical information and advice about accessing entertainment online, and signposts to where they and their children can enjoy this content safely and legally.”

The new advice can be found at www.childnet.com/downloading and features top tips, including:

  • Don’t be fooled by well-known brands and logos. Just because a site charges for music, film or TV programmes and carries advertising from well-known brands it does not always mean it’s legal.
  • Use your common sense. If the film or album you’re looking for hasn’t been officially released, it’s unlikely to be available on the internet legally.
  • Find music, film and TV legally. There are hundreds of legitimate websites where you can find great value or even free music, films and TV programmes at the click of a button. To find legal music websites, check out www.whymusicmatters.org. To search for films from trusted sites, visit www.findanyfilm.com. To verify a website and check whether it is legitimate or not, enter the URL into the search function at www.thecontentmap.com.
  • Explore how to use parental controls. Parental controls can be set to block certain websites and access to peer-to-peer file sharing sites can be blocked in this way. Filtering tools can also help to filter out offensive content on websites. Because of the way filesharing services work, filtering tools that block offensive content like pornography for example are not always effective in blocking the same content when it is made available through filesharing. You can see how to set parental controls at www.childnet.com/resources/parental-controls
  • Secure your wireless connection. Check your wireless connection and ensure it is secure with a password so others can’t use your connection.

Ends-

For more information, please contact Orla Swindells, Claire Lundie or David Whitehead at Blue Rubicon

T: 020 7260 2700 / 07912 55 33 14

E: [email protected]

Notes to editors

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.

Total sample size was 2061 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 28th March – 2nd April 2013. The survey was carried out online.

The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

[1] ICM Tracking Survey – January 2013

[2] Ofcom Online Copyright Infringement Tracker Wave 2 (Covering period Aug-Oct 2012) – March 2013

About Childnet International: Childnet International is a UK-based charity working domestically and internationally to help make the internet a great and safe place for children and young people. Set up in 1995, Childnet is an independent organisation that seeks to promote the positive use of technology and highlight the positive things that children are doing with new technology, as well as responding to the potential negative side.

Childnet focuses on education, awareness and policy and has developed a number of award-winning educational resources, designed to help young people and parents assess and manage the risks that they may encounter online. As well as promoting the opportunities that the internet and new technologies offer, Childnet is active in carrying out research and engaging in key policy for and alongside the internet industry and government.

In January 2011, Childnet was appointed by the European Commission as the UK’s Safer Internet Centre.

All of Childnet’s resources and advice are available at www.childnet.com.

Latest articles

Celebrating World Book Day 2024 with Childnet

At Childnet we have a range of brilliant stories that you can share as a family or within your education setting. All of our books are free to download on our website, and are designed to suit different ages and reading abilities.

7 March 2024

Championing youth voice this LGBT+ History Month

To celebrate LGBT+ History Month, Childnet have created a poster for you to download and print for free. The poster is designed to be displayed in the classroom or at home, and can be a great starting point for discussions about the experiences of LGBT+ young people online.

22 February 2024

 Navigating safe internet use for your children: a child counsellor’s perspective

In this blog Judah Racham, Place2Be’s Programme Leader for Family Work, gives his tips for parents and carers on navigating online safety.