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.

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 violence 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.

Directed to Older Children - Fantasy Violence
For those programs where fantasy violence may be more intense or more combative than other programs in this category, such programs will be designated TV-Y7-FV.

General Audience
Most parents would find this program suitable 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 situations.

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: moderate violence (V), some sexual situations (S), infrequent coarse language (L), or some suggestive dialogue (D).

Parents Strongly Cautioned
This program contains some material that many 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: intense violence (V), intense sexual situations (S), strong coarse language (L), or intensely suggestive dialogue (D).

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).

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about the V-Chip

Is there a V-Chip in every television?
The V-Chip is in every television set 13 inches or larger manufactured after January 2000 and some sets sold after July 1, 1999. This means if you bought a new television set after July 1, 1999, your television is most likely equipped with a V-Chip.

How do I program and activate the V-Chip?
Each television set's V-Chip works a little differently. Once you understand the definition of each rating and content label, programming and activating the V-Chip is as simple as following the set-up procedure which can be found in one of two places: 1) the television on-screen menu options, or 2) the written instruction guide included in the owner's manual. The V-Chip will only be activated if you select the option to do so.

How do I ensure that my child will not de-activate the V-Chip?
To activate the V-Chip, a parental lock code is required. This identification number acts as the password to activate, de-activate, and change the settings of the V-Chip.

Does the V-Chip turn off when I turn my television off?
Turning the television off will not turn off the V-Chip. It will continue to block programs when the television is turned on again.

What type of programming does the V-Chip block?
The V-Chip can block programming by age-based category or content label. For instance, if you want to block all TV-14 programs, you can do so by selecting TV-14. If you only want to block TV-14 programs that contain higher levels of violence, you can select TV-14-V. You should also know that when you block a particular rating or content label, all categories above that will be blocked. For example, if you block all TV-14 programs, all TV-MA programs will also be blocked. If you block TV-14-V programs, all TV-MA-V programs will also be blocked.

Can the V-Chip block out motion pictures that carry the MPAA rating?
Motion pictures that are uncut and unedited can run on premium channels (e.g. HBO and Showtime). You can set the V-Chip to block these programs using the MPAA rating system.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

How are programs rated?
Programs are voluntarily rated by the broadcast and cable television networks.

Does the same program week after week carry the same rating?
Programs are rated by episode and, therefore, may carry a different rating based on the content.

What is syndicated programming, and how is it rated?
Syndicated programs are those programs such as talk shows, game shows, and archived reruns of dramas and sitcoms first run by networks or cable systems, which are purchased by local television stations. The distributor of such programs is usually responsible for rating them.

Are commercials rated?
Television advertising is not rated.

Are network promotions rated?
Network promotions are advertisements for a specific daily or weekly program or block of programs. Many single show promotions display the rating that the program will carry.

Where do you find a program's rating?
To find a rating, you can check the: 1) local newspaper listing 2) TV Guide 3) on-screen display at the beginning of each show 4) on-screen cable program guide. Additionally, some television broadcast and cable networks list the program ratings on their websites.

Do newspapers carry the TV Parental Guidelines?
A number of newspapers print the rating next to the program name and scheduled time in the listing guide. If your local newspaper does not list the TV ratings, call and ask that it do so.

How is the rating displayed on the TV?
A rating icon appears in the upper left hand corner at the start of the program. If the program is more than one hour, the icon will reappear at the beginning of the second hour.

Who rates a movie that has been edited for television?
Theatrical movies rarely run uncut on broadcast or basic cable network television. The broadcast or basic cable network edits these movies according to the network's standards. After the movie has been modified, it is given a TV Parental Guideline rating. Premium cable networks like HBO and Showtime do run uncut theatrical movies. These movies carry the original MPAA movie rating, in addition to supplemental content advisories provided by the network.

Source: www.tvguidelines.org (TV Parental Guidelines)