Music bosses are to extend their “explicit content” labelling to downloads and online streaming – to protect children from inappropriate songs.

Industry body the British Phonographic Industry is updating its Parental Advisory Scheme to include sales of online songs and videos.

The scheme has applied to physical music and video content since 1995 covering tracks which could be seen as offensive or unsuitable for children, including strong language, sex or violence.

Digital music retailers and streaming services will be expected to display a warning logo or the word “explicit” alongside music or videos.

Some firms already flag material, but the BPI wants to see a consistent labelling system.

Eight tracks in the current top 40 on the iTunes chart currently carry an “explicit” warning, yet the track S&M by Rihanna – for which lyrics are bleeped and the title changed when included in the Radio 1 chart rundown because of its lyrical content – is unlabelled.

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