Parental Controls> Social Media Controls > Guide to Television Ratings
Why Trust Television Ratings?
by Allison
Each and every television show comes equipped with a TV rating. But as a parent, why should you trust that rating?
We chatted with Heather Feinstein, executive secretary of the TV Parental Guidelines monitoring board, www.tvguidelines.org, to find out that very answer.
"The broadcasting networks have specialists whose role is to view and rate each and every episode of every television show," said Heather. So each episode in a series like "Friends" may have different ratings, depending on the episode.
"They are given guidance from us. It's rated per episode; for a series the content changes," Heather explained. "One week something might have suggestive language and that descriptor would change per episode."
TV ratings, listed on the corner of every show – except for news programs and shopping networks -- help guide parents as to what shows may be appropriate for their 3-year-old compared to one that is okay for a 12-year-old. But remember, every child is different, and every household has different criteria.
"One seven-year-old may understand fantasy violence and maybe there's a nine-year-old that doesn’t," said Heather. "When a parent can see it on the guide," or when the show starts and in the corner it lists the rating, a parent is more empowered to know whether or not the show is appropriate for their child.
"The networks take these ratings very seriously," said Heather.
If you view a program and feel it's not appropriately rated, Heather suggested contacting The TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board (contact the Board) via mail, phone, or e-mail to voice complaints.
"We want to make sure parents know the tools that are out there and can protect their child and have their child watch what is appropriate," said Heather.
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