ITV has attached a trigger warning to its landmark documentary series 7 Up, cautioning viewers that the 1964 original "contains outdated attitudes." The move has drawn criticism, with commentators arguing it misunderstands the point of a series designed precisely to chart how British social attitudes evolved over time. The warning comes as the long-running project prepares to conclude with its final instalment, 70 Up, on 15 September.

The series began in 1964 as an ITV World In Action special following 14 seven-year-olds discussing class, money, school and their futures, and has returned to revisit them every seven years since, producing eight further films. Late director Michael Apted, who called it the most important work of his career, insisted the series should act as an unfiltered mirror to society. Critics of the warning, including Lord Toby Young of the Free Speech Union and an unnamed TV insider, said flagging a 1964 documentary for reflecting 1964 attitudes was self-evident and unnecessary. The finale will feature surviving participants, now pensioners, such as Tony and Neil, while paying tribute to those who died, including Lynn and Nick.