46
Chapter 5
Other Information
V-Chip Rating Explanations
US V-Chip Rating System
TV-MA (Mature Audience Only)
Specifi cally designed to be viewed by adults and may be unsuitable for children
under 17. It contains one or more of the following content themes: crude indecent language (L), explicit sexual activity
(S), or graphic violence (V).
TV-14 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
Contains some material that many parents would fi nd unsuitable for children
under 14. 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
themes: intensely suggestive dialogue (D), strong coarse language (L), intense sexual situations (S), or intense violence
(V).
TV-PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Contains material that parents may fi nd unsuitable for younger children. Many
parents may want to watch it with their younger children. The program contains one or more of the following content
themes: some suggestive dialogue (D), infrequent coarse language (L), some sexual situations (S), or moderate violence
(V).
TV-G (General Audience)
Most parents would fi nd this program suitable for all ages. It contains little or no sexual
dialogue (D) or situations (S), no strong language (L), and little or no violence (V).
TV-Y7 (Directed to Children 7 years and older)
Designed for children ages 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 violence (FV) or comedic violence, or may frighten
children under the age of 7.
TV-Y (All Children)
Themes and elements in this program are designed for a young audience, including children from
ages 2-6. It is not expected to frighten younger children.
Canadian English V-Chip Rating System
18+ (Adults)
Programming intended for adults 18 and older. It may contain elements of violence, language, and sexual
content which could make it unsuitable for viewers under 18. Violence Guidelines: May contain violence integral to
the development of the plot, character or theme, intended for adult audiences. Other Content Guidelines: May contain
graphic language and explicit portrayals of nudity and/or sex.
14+ (Viewers 14 and over)
Programming contains themes or content which may not be suitable for viewers under
the age of 14. Parents are strongly cautioned to exercise discretion in permitting viewing by pre-teens and early teens.
Violence Guidelines: May contain intense scenes of violence. Could deal with mature themes and societal issues in a
realistic fashion. Other Content Guidelines: May contain scenes of nudity and/or sexual activity. There could be frequent
use of profanity.
PG (Parental Guidance)
Programming intended for a general audience but which may not be suitable for younger
children (under the age of 8). Parents may consider some content inappropriate for unsupervised viewing by children
aged 8-13. Violence Guidelines: Depictions of confl ict and/or aggression will be limited and moderate; may include
physical, fantasy, or supernatural violence. Other Content Guidelines: May contain infrequent mild profanity, or mildly
suggestive language. Could also contain brief scenes of nudity.
G (General Audience)
Programming considered acceptable for all ages groups. While not designed specifi cally for
children, it is understood younger viewers may be part of the audience. Violence Guidelines: Will contain very little
violence, either physical or verbal or emotional. Will be sensitive to themes which could frighten a younger child, will
not depict realistic scenes of violence which minimize or gloss over the effects of violent acts. Other Content Guidelines:
There may be some inoffensive slang, no profanity and no nudity.
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