Arguments for Parental Controls
- V-Chip and TV RatingsCongressional report of the act requiring the V-chip and parental controls in certain television sets.
- Federal Communications CommissionAdvice and discussions from the FCC about parental controls and blocks.
Arguments against Parental Controls
- United States v. Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc.This court case struck down a statute that required stations to scramble or block sexually explicit programming from 6am-10pm.
- Ratings for Program ContentLays out some of the controversy surrounding the initial Parental Guidelines and the revised edition.
- Television and the Family: The Question of ControlExamines various parental controls and their effectiveness.
TV Ratings
The TV Parental Guidelines, often called The Rating System or simply The Rating, are designed to help parents decide what is and is not suitable for their children. It often includes two parts, the audience and the content labels. For more information, check out TV Guidelines.
The audience:
Y - All children. Specific children's programming for a very young audience.
Y7 - Older children, age 7+. May include some very mild fantasy and comedic violence.
G - General audience. Not specifically intended for children but includes no language, violence, or sexual situations that parents may find objectionable.
PG - Parental guidance suggested. May include mild course language, suggestive dialog, or suggestive situations that may not be suitable for young children without parental supervision.
14 - Parents strongly cautioned. May include language, sexual scenarios, or violence unsuitable for children younger than 14 without parental supervision.
MA - Mature audience only. Includes at least one of the following: crude language, sexually explicit situations, or graphic violence. Not recommended for children with or without an adult.
The content labels:
D - Suggestive dialog (generally about sex)
L - Language
S - Sexual situations
V - Violence
FV - Fantasy violence (children's programming only)
Books
Remote Control by Publication Date: 1997In this book, Dr. Leonard Jason shares his considerable clinical and research expertise to help parents, healthcare professionals, and policymakers understand, manage, and reduce the negative impact of TV, the Internet, computer games, and other electronic media. He also identifies the positive aspects of these media and presents concrete suggestions and scientifically proven techniques for modifying children's negative behaviors and enhancing family life away from TV and computer screens. Includes a sample child-parent contract, monitoring logs, a list of television network contacts, and other useful resources.
The New TV Ratings System, How Is It Playing in Peoria? by Publication Date: 1997Hearing before the subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection of the Committee on Commerce, House of Representatives for the TV parental guidelines.
