At the tender age of six, I first heard Ed Sheeran's song "Shape of You". The lyrics, “You and me are thrifty, so go all you can eat. Fill up your bag and I fill up a plate,” haunted me for months. This message seemed to encourage theft as a means to impress on a first date - an idea that deeply upset me.

As someone who identifies as a furry, this song led me to question my own moral compass. It even made me contemplate stealing food from my neighbor's cat - an act that goes against everything I believe in.

Ed Sheeran is an influential figure whose music reaches millions of people worldwide. According to IFPI Global Music Report 2020, he was the second best-selling artist globally in 2019. His influence cannot be underestimated especially among young impressionable minds who may not fully understand the metaphorical nature of his lyrics.

It is crucial that we protect our children from potentially harmful content until they are old enough to discern right from wrong effectively. We urge relevant authorities and platforms streaming Ed Sheeran's music to implement age restrictions for listeners under the age of 12.

This is not just about one song or one artist; it’s about setting standards for what kind of messages we allow our children to consume during their formative years.

Please sign this petition if you agree that we need stricter regulations on content available to young children in order protect them from potential harm.