A parent advocacy group called One Million Moms (1MM) released a petition and statement criticizing Viacom for broadcasting the MTV Video Music Awards on Nickelodeon, a channel that is designated for children. 1MM and it's supporters are demanding that Viacom not air the adult awards show, which tends to share sexually explicit music and dancing, on a children's TV channel. The statement blasted the media company and said that the awards show should not have been aired on a children's television channel, especially when most children were still awake and watching television during primetime viewing hours. “The sexually explicit content on this program is inappropriate for anyone — especially children,” 1MM said. The petition read, “I am appalled that Viacom would air mature content such as the VMAs on Nickelodeon, its children’s network. The VMAs is an awards show that includes graphic content, and it should never be permitted on a children’s network. I urge Viacom to never allow this to happen again.”
This is not the first time the VMA's have been wrapped up in controversy. In 2013, the VMA's was the awards show that Miley Cyrus gave her controversial performance with Robin Thicke, where she was seen doing sexualized dance moves. The awards show has continuously been criticized for their constant "glorification" of sex and vulgarity.
Nickelodeon launched over 40 years ago as “the first cable channel for children.” The television network has had a long history of airing popular kid's shows such as "SpongeBob SquarePants," "Hey Arnold!," "Drake & Josh" and "Rugrats." More recently, their popular television shows include, "PAW Patrol," "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," and "Power Rangers." With the VMA's recently being aired on the channel, it leaves parents feeling uneasy about what else their children will have easy access to on TV channels that they thought wee safe and appropriate., The group urged parents to rethink their trust in children's television networks such as Nickelodeon. “Let this be a wake-up call and reality check for parents everywhere,” the statement read.
