PTC Commends Legal Effort to Hold Netflix Accountable for Sexually Exploiting Children

LOS ANGELES (March 17, 2022) – The Parents Television and Media Council (PTC) commended a District Attorney in Texas for working to hold Netflix accountable for producing and distributing the film, Cuties, that sexually exploits children.

The Tyler County District Attorney Lucas Babin has brought charges against Netflix for violating a Texas State Law that prohibits the production or promotion of a child under the age of 18 engaging in a sexual performance. Cuties features 11-year-old girls in sexually provocative performances, and in one scene the main character snaps a picture of her genitals and posts the photo on social media.

“It is past time for Netflix to face accountability for sexually exploiting children for entertainment, and we believe it is right for the District Attorney in Texas to ensure Netflix is brought to justice for violating the Texas law. We and many others have repeatedly called on Netflix to remove Cuties from its platform for its sexually-exploitative content,” said PTC President Tim Winter.

“But rather than trying to defend its explicit film in front of a jury, Netflix has levied a blistering personal attack against the District Attorney. According to a recent article in Variety, Netflix is asking a Federal Court to stop the DA from enforcing the Texas State Law, claiming the company would suffer ‘irreparable harm.’

“Let’s be crystal clear on what Netflix is trying to do: They are trying to establish a legal right to sexually exploit children for entertainment. But it is the children whom we must protect from irreparable harm.

“We are already witnesses to Netflix and its increasing sexual exploitation of children. PTC research documented the Netflix cartoon Big Mouth and how it depicts middle school children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, with full frontal nudity and suggesting graphic sexual relations with adults. And its foreign film Desire featured a 9-year-old girl bringing herself to orgasm. That’s why this legal challenge against Netflix is so important.”