When I seek out entertainment, I depend on the various ratings organizations to help me avoid explicit portrayals of sex, gratuitous graphic violence, foul language or unacceptable vulgarity. I am familiar with the movie ratings systems which warn me of “R” or “NR” or “PG-13” content. When I turn on the TV, I check the rating box in the upper left-hand corner of the screen, and reach for my remote at the first sign of offensive material. When I purchase a video game, I make sure there is no “A”, “M” or even “T” on the box.
While there is no comparable safeguard for web browsing, some simple common sense measures have heretofore stood me in good stead. I don’t respond to email promises to increase the size of my penis or enhance my sexual experiences. I don’t reply to requests from correspondents with names like “CandyPantsXXX” or “NaughtyGirlOXOX” who promise to be my friend or relieve my boredom. Most off-limits websites reveal their intentions right away by bombarding you with racy music, presenting pre-pubescent nymphs who want you to “get to know them” and, finally, soliciting your credit card number in order to see more.
So imagine my surprise as I was browsing the web site of the Parents Television Council, which purports to survey and rate the content of television programming for the parents of impressionable children, so they don’t have to. According to their “About Us” link, the Parents Television Council “is a non-partisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment. It was founded in 1995 to ensure that children are not constantly assaulted by sex, violence and profanity on television and in other media.” Attached to each program is a color code rating - green, yellow, red - to serve as a parental guide. These codes are defined briefly as follows:
Red: “Show may include gratuitous sex, explicit dialogue, violent content, or obscene language, and is unsuitable for children”
Yellow: “The show contains adult-oriented themes and dialogue that may be inappropriate for youngsters.”
Green: “Family-friendly show promoting responsible themes and traditional values.
Article comments
1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
So, if those foul words could never,ever be used again, how would anyone know how to rate any kind of explicit material? What standards would they have to follow? How would I, a person who gives two shits about the words that offend you, know what those colors stand for?
I think you should be happy that any kind of group that has a foundation in censorship gives you any kind of insight into their reasoning or system.
Honestly, I don't see how a child that is of a particular "sensitive" age would bother visiting the PTC website. Secondly, if you don't have the experience or intelligence as an adult to filter what your children have access to on the internet with software or blocking sites manually via your web browser then maybe you,in general, should seek out some education or sell your freaking computer!!! It's not the 80's anymore!
2 - Robert K Blechman
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I suggest that whenever you read anything I write, you should assume that it is written in jest, unless I specifically state otherwise.
Wait, that would include this message as well. OK. Right now I'm not kidding.
Now I am.
Do you see the difference?
3 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Have you heard of the BC section entitled "Satire" or should the PTC start a new color code for douche bag loaded content?!
4 - Robert K. Blechman
Why so serious?