ParentPort Review: Uninspiring, Unsexy But Probably Useful For Someone

ParentPort Review: Uninspiring, Unsexy But Probably Useful For Someone

It's not difficult, for anyone motivated enough, to make a complaint about something they’ve seen in the media.

But for those who don't know where to vent their anger this one-stop "whistleblowing" website is an undoubted help.

Exactly how ParentPort (which current ranks lower in Google than an Auckland based organisation of the same name) will draw people in and remain "the" destination for upset parents in is unclear at this stage.

“Seen or heard something unsuitable for children? Maybe it was a programme on TV or online, a film, an advert, a video game or something in a magazine.

“At ParentPort you can find out about the standards we expect from the media, make a complaint and share your views with us,” says the site’s homepage.

Critics would say it’s a functional, uninspiring and unsexy (although this final description is probably a good thing) site which simply redirects potential complainants to Ofcom, the BBC Trust, the PCC or other organisations which are taking part in the government’s new ‘clampdown’ on internet porn.

The home page offers users three main options. In one box there is a bubble graphic with words including “sex, violence, children,” above the heading “Find out more”.

The link leads to a list of organisations including the Advertising Standards Authority, BBC Trust, Authority for Television On Demand and various industry watchdogs.

There are details about what each organisation does. To be honest, it's pretty much the same information you can access from any of the organisation's own websites.

There is an option to make a complaint which simply directs your concern to the relevant watchdog.

And finally there’s the option to “Have your say” which lets users leave a comment. What happens after that, we’re not sure.

If this site does enable people to genuinely find a better route for complaining about media content then it’s clearly a benefit.

But after an initial glance, it doesn’t seem to offer anything more than is already available.

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