FEATURES AND MENUS
PARENTAL
CONTROLS
AND
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 "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-1 4, 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
Description
and Content Themes for Age-Based Ratings
Rating
TV-MA
Mature Audience Only. Specifically designed to be viewed by adults and may be unsuitable for
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 suggestivedialogue (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
TV-PG
children.
Many parents may want to watch it with their younger children. The program contains
one or more of the following content themes: some suggestivedialogue (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.
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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