Children and the Cinema - Some interesting facts are disclosed
in a Report on the recreational aspect of the cinema which was presented on Monday to the Advisory Committee of the League of Nations on Social Questions by Mr. S. W. Harris, of the Home Office, the British member. It appears that most countries protect their youth from the effects of unsuitable films by placing legal restrictions on their admission to cinemas. Indeed in certain countries complete prohibition of admission exists for children under a minimum age, which varies from five years in Iran and Portugal to as much as eighteen in Austria and parts of Switzerland. But more commonly the practice of distinguishing between films suitable and unsuitable for juvenile presentation, such as the " U " and "A" categories into which the films shown in this country are divided, prevails. There can be no question of the desirability of protecting young people from films which may incite them to criminal or immoral action, or may terrify or in any other way adversely affect them, but it is question- able which is the best way of affording such protection. It can be done negatively by refusing admission to cinemas or positively by providing an adequate supply of suitable films and by educating the children's taste. Perhaps the high costs of production and the relatively low profits from performances for children have prevented any serious attempt at the latter course. Yet for many reasons it is the more desirable.
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