6/18/2001
TV-Y - All Children - This 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 ages 2-6. This program is not expected to frighten younger children. However, these shows may not be violence-free.
TV-Y7 - 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.
TV-Y7-FV - 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. These programs may contain violence as a prevalent feature of the program, fighting presented in an exciting or thrilling way, villains and superheroes valued for their combat abilities, violent acts glorified, and violence depicted as an acceptable and effective solution to a problem.
TV-G - 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 situation.
TV-PG - 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 content labels: moderate violence (V), some sexual situations (S), infrequent coarse language (L) or some suggestive dialogue (D).
TV-14 - 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 content labels: moderate violence (V), some sexual situations (S), infrequent coarse language (L) or some suggestive dialogue (D). Note that not all TV-14 programs are labeled with content labels even if they contain sex, violence or adult language. Only the shows with the highest levels of these contents are usually labeled.
TV-MA - 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).
V-chip - The V-chip allows a TV to read the TV Parental Guidelines ratings (and Motion Picture Association of America ratings) for a show and allows parents to block programs with certain ratings. It is built in to many new television sets or can be attached to a TV through a set-top box. Parents must activate and program the V-chip to block programs that are inappropriate for their children. Also, parents must remember to reactivate the V-Chip if they unlock it with their parental lock code.
Content Ratings: TV Parental Guidelines may have one or more letters added to the basic rating to let parents know when a show contains higher levels of violence, sex, adult language or suggestive dialogue.
V - violence
S - sexual situations
L - coarse or crude indecent language
D - suggestive dialogue (usually means talk about sex)
FV - fantasy violence
Movie Ratings - Movies that are unedited and on cable TV do not receive ratings from the TV Parental Guidelines. Instead, they get a rating from the Motion Picture Association of America:
G - General Audience. All ages admitted.
PG - Parental Guidance Suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.Parents Strongly Cautioned.
PG-13 - Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
R - Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or guardian.
NC-17 - No One 17 and Under Admitted.