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Parents Television Council - Because Our Children Are Watching

 

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Understanding the Ratings

With so many forms of entertainment each with their own rating system, it is difficult for parents to keep track of or fully understand what that "funny little box in the corner" really means. Here we've compiled a list of each rating system and what the symbols mean. As a parent our jobs are hard enough without the added confusion of the rating systems. We hope this resource is able to make your job a little easier.

Television Ratings:

These ratings are assigned to television programs by the network that airs them. The PTC has compiled research on the age-based ratings system for television and has determined it is a failure.

 



 

Movie Ratings:

These ratings are assigned to films by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). Despite the familiarity with this system, parents continue to have complaints about how movie ratings are assigned and the overall design of the ratings system.

 

 

 
Video Game Ratings:

These ratings are assigned to video games by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The ESRB ratings are designed to provide information about video and computer game content, so you can make informed purchase decisions.

 

 

 

Album Ratings:

Since 1985 the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has labeled albums containing explicit lyrics, including explicit depictions of violence and sex, with a parental advisory so parents can determine whether that album is appropriate for their child.


 

 

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