TV show ‘Geordie Shore’ was yesterday blamed – for a rise in SEXUAL HEALTH problems among youngsters.
The reality series is responsible for young people being promiscuous and should be banned, according to officials in its native setting of the north East.
Councillors in South Shields, just miles from Geordie Shore’s location in Newcastle, say its depiction of sex has lead to an increase in sexual health problems in the area.
They also claim it has lead to kids as young as 11 and 12 dressing more provocatively.
Cllr Ernest Gibson, 50, launched a furious tirade against the reality television series, saying children who watch the show are encouraged to drink and have sex.
The Labour councillor and ex-mayor of South Tyneside blasted the show during a council meeting at South Shields Town Hall.
He said: “We have to target the television producers who are responsible for the trash that comes on, such as Geordie Shore.
“All the kids watch it, they watch it on their iPhones and it is promoting a promiscuous society.
“It’s all about how many times they can have sex with somebody in a night. We’re encouraging people to drink and be promiscuous by these programmes that are being put out.
“We see 11 and 12-year-old kids dressing like they are going night clubbing – and they are actually going to school. We should be addressing that. when kids go to school they should dress normally and respectably.
“We do need to address what’s on television and hit the producers. We need the Government to take on board these television programmes which are helping to create this promiscuous society.”
Janice Chandler, public lead for sexual health in South Tyneside, said: “In terms of the promiscuous society, I think you are exactly right and we have some significant challenges around that.
“I think it’s not only around what young people access, it’s around the ease of access. It’s about the lack of parental control.
“In terms of sexual ill-health, we need to make sure that when young people do get involved in this kind of promiscuous behaviour, and when we can’t stop them doing it, that they should not be at risk of sexually transmitted infections.”