TV Parental Guidelines...

It is important to remember that the TV Parental Guidelines and/or the use of a V-Chip does not substitute for your responsibility to guard your children from the influence of inappropriate television shows. Some tips to protect your children include:

• Limit television viewing to 1-2 hours each day.
• Do not allow your children to have a TV set in their bedrooms.
• Review the ratings of TV shows that your children watch.
• Watch television with your children, and discuss what is happening during the show, discuss alternative and more acceptable things that characters could have done for inappropriate behaviors and actions, and teach your children to be critical of the messages that the media sends through their programming.

Here are the official TV Parental Guideline symbols and definitions:

TV Y FV		All Children
		Audience: Indicates the audience for which a television program is appropriate.
		Content Label: Indicates shows containing
		higher levels of violence, sex, adult language, or suggestive dialogue and are represented by one or more letters added to the basic rating: V violence S sexual situations L coarse or crude indecent language D suggestive dialogue (usually sex) FV fantasy violence

Here are the guidelines:

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 from ages 2-6. This program is not expected to frighten younger children. However, these shows may not be violence-free.

TV Y7 TV		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 TV		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 TV		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 TV		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 TV		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

Movie Ratings

G	General Audience. All ages admitted.
PG	Parental Guidance Suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
PG-13	Parents Strongly Cautioned. 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.

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