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TV Parental
Guidelines
AND WhAt theY MeAN FOR YOuR ChiLDReN
the guiDelines that DeButeD in 1997 can help parents pick and choose the
programs they deem inappropriate for children of any age due to violence,
sexual content and/or adult language. There are two parts:
A rating that indicates the age group for which a particular program has been produced.
A rating that tells parents if a show has high levels of sex, violence or adult language.
To check a program’s rating, read your local TV program listings or look for the display in the
upper left-hand corner of the TV screen. It appears there for 15 seconds at the beginning of
a show. If a program runs longer than 60 minutes, the broadcast will display the symbol at
the beginning of each hour.
matuRe auDiences only: This program has been produced solely for
adults and may be unsuitable for children under 17. The show may
include graphic violence (V), explicit sexual activity (S) and/or crude,
indecent language (L).
PaRents stRongly cautioneD: This program includes material that
parents may find unsuitable for children under 14. Parents are
urged to exercise more care in monitoring this program, and also
are cautioned against letting children under 14 watch unattended.
This show has intense violence (V), intense sexual situations (S),
strong coarse language (L) and/or intensely suggestive dialogue (D).
PaRental guiDance suggesteD: This program includes material
that parents may find unsuitable for younger children. The theme
itself may call for parental guidance, and/or the program features
moderate violence (V), some sexual situations (S), infrequent coarse
language (L) and/or some suggestive dialogue (D).
geneRal auDience: Most parents would find this program appropriate
for all ages. Although this rating doesn’t signify a program designed
specifically for children, most parents may let younger boys and
girls watch this show unattended. It has little or no violence, no
strong language, and little or no sexual dialogue or situations.
DiRecteD at olDeR chilDRen (fantasy/violence): For programs in
which fantasy violence may be more intense or more combative
than it is in TV-Y7 shows.
DiRecteD at olDeR chilDRen: This program has been produced for
children 7 and up, but may be more appropriate for kids who have
developed the skills to distinguish between make-believe and reality.
Themes and elements in this program may include mild fantasy or
comedic violence, or may frighten children younger than 7. Parents
should consider this program’s suitability for very young children.
all chilDRen: This program is designed for all children. Whether
animated or live action, the show’s themes and elements are aimed
at a very young audience, including 2-to-6-year-olds. This program
isn’t expected to frighten younger children.
The entire TV industry has been strongly encouraged to use these
voluntary guidelines, but not every network or programmer does.
That’s why some programs don’t display a rating, while others
display age ratings but not content labels.
cool foR the kiDs
Use this chart to
track the temp. of
your kids’ viewing.
MOM,
WHAT’S ON TV?
one of kiDs’ toP comPlaints of
our time is: “Mom, there’s nothin’ on TV.”
But how wrong they are, especially
if your household subscribes to Mediacom
cable service.
In the last 10 years, children’s
programming has been one of the
major growth sectors for networks and
producers on the prowl for new audiences.
No matter if the kids are 2, 6, 10, 12 or 15,
there’s something for all of them at just
about any time of day, depending on your
Mediacom system’s channel lineup.
Here’s a sample of today’s children’s
programming, along with websites where
you’ll find more information:
ABC Family (www.ABCFamily.com)
Animal Planet (www.AnimalPlanet.com)
Cartoon Network
(www.CartoonNetwork.com)
Discovery Channel (www.Discovery.com)
The Hub (www.HubWorld.com)
Disney Channel (www.DisneyChannel.com)
Disney XD (www.DisneyXD.com)
Teen Nick (www.TeenNick.com)
Nick at Nite (www.NickAtNite.com)
Nickelodeon (www.Nick.com)
Nick Jr. (www.NickJr.com)
Science (www.Science.Discovery.com)
TLC (www.TLC.com)
TV Land (www.TVLand.com)
READING THE LABEL
�audience type: Shows the
general audience for which
the program was intended.
�content type: Shows
when a program may have higher levels
or occurrences of violence (V), sexual
situations(S), coarse or indecent language
(L), suggestive dialogue – typically about
sex (D) or fantasy violence (FV).
14 PaUSE | ISSUE NO. 19 www.mediacomcable.com