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In 1997, the TV industry began using a TV
ratings system designed to give parents more information about the
content and age-appropriateness of TV shows. These ratings are
called the TV Parental Guidelines.
Here are the official TV Parental
Guidelines symbols and definitions. We’ve also provided some
additional tips–in italics–to help you understand what each rating
means, based on what we’ve learned from monitoring how the ratings
are applied to programs.
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All ChildrenThis program is designed
to be appropriate for all children. Whether animated or live
action, the themes and elements in this program are
specifically designed for a very young audience, including
children from ages 2-6. This program is not expected to
frighten younger children.
What you need to know: Not all
TV-Y shows are violence-free. Some shows with cartoon
violence are rated TV-Y, such as the “Road Runner” cartoons.
There is no content
rating to let you know if a TV-Y show contains violence.
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Directed to Older Children
This program is designed for
children age 7 and above. It may be more appropriate for
children who have acquired the developmental skills needed
to distinguish between make-believe and reality. Themes and
elements in this program may include mild fantasy or comedic
violence, or may frighten children under the age of 7.
Therefore, parents may wish to consider the suitability of
this program for their very young children.
What you need to know:
TV-Y7 shows that contain a lot of fantasy violence are
supposed to be labeled with the “FV” rating. But even some
TV-Y7 shows without the FV label may contain fantasy or
comedic violence that could be of concern to some parents,
although it is usually much milder than in those shows with
the FV rating.
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Directed to Older Children-Fantasy
Violence
For those programs where fantasy
violence may be more intense or more combative than other
programs in the TV-Y7 category, such programs will be
designated TV-Y7-FV.
What you need to know:
A TV-Y7-FV rating indicates a program that may contain some
or all of the following characteristics: violence as a
prevalent feature of the program; fighting presented in an
exciting–even thrilling–way; villains and superheros valued
for their combat abilities; violent acts glorified; and
violence depicted as an acceptable and effective solution to
a problem. Fantasy violence may be part of an animated
cartoon, a live-action show, or a program that combines both
animation and live-action.
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General Audience
Most parents would find this
program appropriate for all ages. Although this rating does
not signify a program designed specifically for children,
most parents may let younger children watch this program
unattended. It contains little or no violence, no strong
language and little or no sexual dialogue or situations.
What you need to know:
Most TV-G shows don’t contain any sex, violence or adult
language at all. Those that do have such content are usually
mild. There are no content ratings used on TV-G shows to let
you know if they do contain such content.
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Parental Guidance Suggested
This program contains material
that parents may find unsuitable for younger children.
Many parents may want to watch it with their younger
children. The theme itself may call for parental guidance
and/or the program contains one or more of the following:
moderate violence (V), some sexual situations (S),
infrequent coarse language (L), or some suggestive dialogue
(D).
What you need to know:
Many TV-PG shows do contain moderate levels of sexual
dialogue or violence, and not all of them are labeled with
the content ratings. TV-PG shows with higher levels of sex,
violence or adult language are usually labeled with content
labels.
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Parents Strongly Cautioned
This program contains some
material that parents would find unsuitable for children
under 14 years of age. Parents are strongly urged to
exercise greater care in monitoring this program and are
cautioned against letting children under the age of 14 watch
unattended. This program contains one or more of the
following: intense violence (V), intense sexual situations
(S), strong coarse language (L), or intensely suggestive
dialogue (D).
What you need to know:
Most TV-14 shows contain sex, violence or adult language.
Not all of those shows are labeled with the content
descriptors. TV-14 shows with the highest levels of sex,
violence or adult language are usually labeled with the
content ratings. A TV-14 rating without content labels may
also indicate a program with a mature theme.
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Mature Audience Only
This program is specifically
designed to be viewed by adults and therefore may be
unsuitable for children under 17. This program contains one
or more of the following: graphic violence (V), explicit
sexual activity (S), or crude indecent language (L).
What you need to know:
Very few shows are labeled TV-MA.
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 The
text presented on this page is part of a brochure provided
by
The Center for Media Education
and The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. To read the
entire document, entitled "A
Parent's Guide to the TV Ratings
and V-Chip"
click here.
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