Age-specific movie ratings have been standard practice for decades, but the censorship technique could soon be seen in books.
Just like movies, publishers would implement parental guidance suggestions for the types of materials suitable for each age group.
However, if Philip Pullman, the author of The Golden Compass and His Dark Materials trilogy, has his way, enough people will sign his online petition rebelling the concept of age guidance limits for printed materials. He says the new rules would be, "ill-conceived and damaging to the interests of young readers".
"Each child is unique, and so is each book," it says on notoagebanding.org, the petition site. "Accurate judgments about age suitability are impossible, and approximate ones are worse than useless."
Age Limits for Books
Authors Fight Age Banding
Trend Themes
1. Age-specific Book Ratings - Implementing age-specific book ratings could provide parents with guidance on the suitability of books for different age groups.
2. Online Petition Against Age Banding - The rise of online petitions, as demonstrated by Philip Pullman's campaign, reveals a growing resistance to the concept of age guidance limits for printed materials.
3. Customized Reading Experiences - Recognizing that each child and book is unique, personalized recommendations and reading experiences can cater to individual preferences, beyond age-based guidelines.
Industry Implications
1. Publishing - Publishers have an opportunity to introduce age-specific book ratings and adapt their marketing strategies to address consumer concerns and demands.
2. Online Activism - Online platforms and campaigns, such as online petitions, can expand their influence in raising awareness and shaping public opinion on controversial topics, like age banding in books.
3. Education - Educators can explore customized reading programs that take into account individual student needs, interests, and reading levels, going beyond traditional age-based literature selections.