RCA 1539213A Parental Controls and V-Chip, Description and Content Themes for Age-Based Ratings

TV/VCR Features

Using the TV/VCR Features

Parental Controls and V-Chip

The Parental Controls menu allows you to program your TV/VCR so that children cannot see certain programs.

The first three choices in the Parental Controls menu involve a feature inside your TV/VCR called V-Chip which allows you to “block” TV programs and movies based on violence, sex, or other content you may believe children should not view. In other words, it lets you program your TV so it will not display certain programs. Once you block programs, you or other adults are not limited to only parent-approved programs; you can “unblock” programs by entering a password.

The V-Chip inside your TV/VCR comes turned “off,” so if you choose not to implement it, you can just ignore it.

When turned “on,” the V-Chip reads a code that most broadcasters send with programs. That code tells the V-Chip the program’s age-based rating (TV-MA, TV-14, etc.) and content themes (Violence (V), Adult Language (L), etc.). If you have blocked the rating and/or content themes that the program contains, you will receive the message, “This channel is not approved for viewing ,” when you turn to that particular channel. Broadcasters are not required to provide content themes, so programs received with no content themes will only be blocked if you block their age-based rating. You can also block out programs that have not been given a rating, and programs that are considered “unrated” because no code has been sent by the broadcaster.

The age-based ratings and content themes you can block are listed in the table below.

Age-Based Rating

TV-MA

TV-14

TV-PG

TV-G

TV-Y7

TV-Y

Description and Content Themes for Age-Based Ratings

Mature Audience Only. This program is specifically designed to be viewed by adults and may be unsuitable for children under 17. It contains one or more of the following content themes: graphic violence (V), explicit sexual activity (S), or crude indecent language (L).

Parents Strongly Cautioned. This program contains some material that many parents would find 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: intense

violence (V), intense sexual situations (S), strong coarse language (L), or intensely suggestive dialogue (D).

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 program contains one or more of the following content themes: moderate

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

General Audience. Most parents would find this program suitable for all ages. It contains

little or no violence (V), no strong language (L) and little or no sexual dialogue (D) or situations (S).

Directed to Children 7 years and older. This program is 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.

All Children. This program is designed to be appropriate for all children. The themes and elements in this program are designed for a young audience, including children from ages

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