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PARENTAL
CONTROLS
AN D V-CHIP
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
"oft,"
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
children
under 14. Parents are strongly
urged to exercise greater care in monitoring
this program and
TV-14
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
or more of the following content
themes: some suggestive
dialogue
(D), infrequent
coarse
TV-PG
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).
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
(IV) 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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