A horrified parent has complained to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after the Government's 'Keep It Real Online' ad featuring porn stars was accidentally played before a kids' movie.
The ad, which features two 'porn star' actors Sue and Derek, stresses the importance of parents talking to their kids about the difference between pornography and real-life relationships. It also addresses the importance of sexual consent.
The Department of Internal Affairs ad shows the two naked actors visiting a house because a young person had accessed their pornographic content online. The pair tell the mother about the devices he watches them on and that they normally perform for adults.
The ad ends with the line, "Many young Kiwis are using porn to learn about sex, keep it real online", followed by a web address for viewers to visit and the New Zealand Government logo.
The ASA received a complaint after the ad played during a screening of the PG-rated film Raya The Last Dragon. The parent described the ad as "inappropriate" for young children.
"We had three children attending with us aged 10, seven and four. There were multiple other children in the cinema that were of a similar age," the complaint said.
"It seems inappropriate that an ad with such content be played at a movie rated for primary and preschool-age children. Any movie that contained sexual and pornographic references would not be rated at a level where it could be viewed by such young children, it does not seem right that an ad covering the same topics would be appropriate.
"This is not a complaint against the ad itself, it is well made, in good taste, a topic that is relevant and a positive message. I just do not believe it should be targeted at such young audiences and would probably be more appropriate for movies rated M and higher.
"I have tried to contact Reading Cinemas twice about this issue since the screening but have not received a response on either occasion."
The Department of Internal Affairs told the ASA it was a mistake.
"This advertisement was not to be shown during any film aimed at children. The advertisement was shown in error. We have re-briefed the cinema, and this should not happen again."
The matter is now considered settled, given the Department of Internal Affairs cooperated and self-regulated by confirming the error would not be repeated.
