This post contains upsetting themes and images
In it's own words, “Ofcom is required to assess the likelihood of material encouraging or inciting the commission of crime or of leading to disorder”. However, the regulatory body is vague on what material actually will cause harm and offence to potential audiences, and cases are resolved on a trial by trial basis.
Sonia Livingstone and Peter Lunt argue that regulatory guidelines in the UK are largely ineffective, in part due to advances in digital technology that allow audiences the opportunity to completely bypass regulatory issues. Gone are the days of waiting for the watershed to watch something objectionable: now audiences can use smartphones to view potentially harmful media anytime, anywhere.
Humans was initially broadcast on Channel 4 at 9pm, just after the watershed. However, it can be viewed at any time through the streaming service All4, or of course through digital download, DVD or BluRay.
The following images were sourced by students by U block
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| Imitable behaviour - bullying - rebellion against social norms - teenager using a gun - sadism - potentially racist from an allegorical perspective |
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| Kidnapping - may trigger memories - depicts unconscious woman being dragged away - connotations of murder and sexual assault |
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| Potentially traumatic scene - depicts prostitution - objectification of women - taboo theme: man having sex with a robot - depiction of sexual assault |
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| Black synth has been branded: connotations of slavery - also alludes to the holocaust - audience may have family members affected by these events |
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| Depiction of lifeless/dead Odi - may be potentially upsetting to parents: Odi is a son figure to George - emotionally manipulative |
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| Leo attacks Sadiq - violent, intimidating scene - may be particularly offensive to those involved in violence - possible racial violent undertones |