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PARENTAL
CONTROLS
AND
V-CH I P
The Parental Controls menu allows you to program your TV so that children
cannot see certain programs, channels, or use the front
panel controls.
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.
The software
inside your TV comes turned
"off,"
so if you choose not to
implement
it, you can just ignore it.
When 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 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 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.
Age-Based
Rating
Description
and
Content
Themes
for
Age-Based
Ratings
Mature Audience
Only. Specifically designed
to be viewed by adults and may be unsuitable
for
TV-MA
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
TV-PG
one 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
TV-G
no sexual dialogue
(D), no strong
language
(L) little
or no sexual situations
(S), or
violence
(V).
Directed to Children 7 years and older. Designed for children ages 7 and above.
It may be more
TV-Y7
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. Themes and elements
in this program
are designed for a young audience, including
TV-Y
children from ages 2-6. it is not expected
to frighten
younger
children.
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