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The majority of Swedish children between the ages of 8 and 14, admit that they download copyrighted music and videos on a regular basis. “Lilla Aktuellt” - a kids news show on Swedish national television - recently discussed this topic, and warned the youngsters about the dangers of using The Pirate Bay. But did it work?

The piece began with pictures from a Swedish 5th grade class (age 11) filmed with blurred vision, and their teacher asking: “How many of you have downloaded something off the Internet?”

All of the kids raised their hands. The host of the show explained that they had to use the blurred vision because they didn’t want to show the faces of these criminal kids.

Then, the host went on to present a survey performed by Swedish youth Internet community Lunarstorm, where 14000 users, 8 to 14 years old, had been asked about their downloading habits. In the survey, 60% of the surveyed kids said they download “sometimes” or “often”. The host then asked two girls (who, we must assume, are part of another class than the one shown before, otherwise, why blur them in the first place?) if they thought it was strange that something that so many kids do, is actually illegal.

“It’s so common. You don’t really think about it,” said one of the girls. Next to answer was a boy who said “Well, most people just download music and put it in their iPods.”

Now the host, in her most tutorial voice, explained that musicians and filmmakers want to get paid for their work, so the courts and the police are working hard to stop the criminals from downloading. Back in the computer classroom, she asked the girls again: Is it really ok to download other peoples work? “Not really,” said the girls. “When someone releases an album they want to be paid for it, so they get angry if you download for free,” said the boy.

The clip ended with the host saying that the law clearly states that you are not permitted to share content that otherwise costs money to buy or rent, and that it is forbidden to download from The Pirate Bay.

A conversation in the studio then took place with one of the hosts explaining why it is forbidden to download: “The copyright law says that everybody who has created film, music and such must get paid for their work.” And: “If you are under 15, you cannot go to jail or be fined if you download, but I think you really need to remember that this is illegal and that the police are watching this now.”

Anything to take with us from this piece of kids propaganda? Well, upon being questioned by the reporter on what is needed to make people pay for their content, one of the girls answered:

“If everything was a bit cheaper to buy, you would save less money when you download,” a wise lesson.

This is an article from: TorrentFreak

Sweden Warns Kids Against The Pirate Bay