Background
The V-chip allows parents to block television programming that
they don’t want their children to watch. Most television programs
are now assigned a rating according to a system established by the
television industry. The rating is encoded with the program so
that, using the remote control, parents can program the V-chip to
block from viewing shows with certain ratings. If you lose your
remote or need help programming the V-chip, contact the
manufacturer of your television for a replacement remote or for
instructions on how to operate the V-chip.
Rules
Since January 1, 2000, the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) has required all new
television sets 13 inches or larger to contain a V-chip, a
device that allows parents or other caregivers to block
television programming that they don’t want their children
to watch. You can usually tell whether your television has
a V-chip by looking at the packaging. If you no longer
have the packaging, V-chip equipped televisions will have
the V-chip option displayed on the menu. If you want a
V-chip but do not want to buy a new television, you can
get a set-top box, which works the same as a built-in
V-chip. Personal computers that include a television tuner
and a monitor of 13 inches or more are also required to
include a V-chip.
The enactment of the Child Safe Viewing Act
of 2007 requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to
begin a study of:
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the existence and availability of advanced
blocking technologies that are compatible with various
communications devices;
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methods of encouraging the development,
deployment and use of such technology by parents that do not
affect the packaging or pricing of the content; and
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the existence, availability, and use of
parental empowerment tools and initiatives already in the
market.
The new law directs the FCC to seek
information on appropriate blocking technologies not only for TV
programming, but content available on wireless devices and the
Internet. The FCC must also examine blocking technologies that can
filter language in closed captioning and operate independently of
ratings assigned by the creator of the programming. The FCC must
issue a report to Congress summarizing its findings.
The Ratings System
In 1996 Congress asked the television
industry to establish a voluntary ratings system for TV programs.
The industry did so by creating the ratings system known as “TV
Parental Guidelines.”
This system was established by the National
Association of Broadcasters, the National Cable Television
Association, and the Motion Picture Association of America.
Ratings appear in the corner of your
television screen during the first 15 seconds of each program. The
ratings also are included in many magazines and newspapers that
provide TV listings. Ratings are given to most television
programming except news, sports, and unedited movies on premium
cable channels. The ratings include:
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TV-Y (Directed to All Children)
found only in children’s shows, means that the show is designed
specifically for a very young audience, including children from
ages 2-6.
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TV-Y7 (Directed to Older Children)
found only in children’s shows, means that the show is most
appropriate for children age 7 and up.
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TV-Y7-FV (Directed to Older
Children-Fantasy Violence) means that fantasy violence may be
more intense or more combative than other programming in the
TV-Y7 category.
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TV-G (General Audience) means that
the show is suitable for all ages but is not necessarily a
children’s show.
-
TV-PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
means that parental guidance is recommended and that the show
may be unsuitable for younger children. This rating may also
include a V for violence, S for sexual situations,
L for language, or D for suggestive dialogue.
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TV-14 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
means that the show may be unsuitable for children under 14. V,
S, L, or D may accompany a rating of TV-14.
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TV-MA (Mature Audience Only) means
that the program is intended to be viewed by adults and may be
unsuitable for children under 17. The program also contains one
or more of the following: V, S, L, or D
(violence, sexual situations, coarse language, or suggestive
dialogue).
For more information on these ratings, visit
the FCC’s Web site at
www.fcc.gov/vchip.
The TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board
reviews the application of the ratings guidelines to television
programming. The Monitoring Board has a Chairman and six members
each from the broadcast television industry, the cable industry,
and the program production community.
The Chairman of the FCC also selects five
non-industry members from the advocacy community, for a total of
24 members.
If you have a complaint about a television
show’s rating, you can contact the Monitoring Board at P.O. Box
14097, Washington, DC 20004, or you can call (202) 879-9364. In
addition, you can visit the Monitoring Board’s Web site at
www.tvguidelines.org.
For More Information
For more information about the
V-chip, visit the FCC’s Web site at
www.fcc.gov/vchip.
For information about other telecommunications issues,
visit the FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Web
site at www.fcc.gov/cgb, or contact
the FCC’s Consumer Center by e-mailing
fccinfo@fcc.gov;
calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or
1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing
1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications
Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.
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