MENU FEATURES

Setting TV Guidelines and Movie Ratings

The first three choices in the Parental Controls menu involve software inside your TV (dubbed 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.

When Parental Control is turned On, the software reads a code that most broadcasters send with programs. That code tells the software 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 rating is blocked.” 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 been given a rating of “Not Rated,” and programs that are considered “unrated” because no code has been sent by the broadcaster.

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

Special

Closed Caption:

Off

CC on Mute:

Off

Power Restore:

On

Audio:

Mono

Parental Control

Parental Control

Parental Lock: On

TV Guidelines

Movie Ratings

No Rating: Unblock

Ext. Source: Unblock

Change Password

Select Adjust Prev.

 

Age-Based

Description and Content Themes for Age-Based Ratings

 

Rating

 

 

 

 

TV-MA

Mature Audience Only. 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: crude indecent

 

 

 

 

language (L), explicit sexual activity (S), or graphic violence (V).

 

 

 

 

 

Parents Strongly Cautioned. Contains some material that many parents would find unsuitable for

 

TV-14

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).

 

 

 

 

 

Parental Guidance Suggested. 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

 

TV-PG

or more of the following content themes: some suggestive dialogue (D), infrequent coarse

 

language (L), some sexual situations (S), or moderate violence (V).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Audience. Most parents would find this program suitable for all ages. It contains little or no

 

TV-G

sexual dialogue (D), no strong language (L), or sexual situations (S), 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.

 

 

 

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RCA F19430 Setting TV Guidelines and Movie Ratings, Language L, explicit sexual activity S, or graphic violence, Violence