Youths Give Opinions on Value of TV Ratings

Parental advisory ratings for TV shows are being gradually ushered in with the new year. They’re similar to the movie ratings we’ve had for 30 years, but this TV version will have a high-tech twist.

The new television sets coming out as early as 1998 will be equipped with the so-called “V-chip,” giving parents the ability to screen out programs with ratings considered unsuitable for certain age levels.

Some TV networks have already begun displaying a little symbol, like the familiar PG or PG-13 film ratings, in a corner of the screen at the start of certain programs so parents can manually switch off the set if their children are too young for such fare.

But what do kids, those presumably being protected from inappropriate programming, think about this?

So far, adults have made all the decisions and been the parties quoted in the press about these issues. A few days ago, however, a group of teenagers voiced their opinions at Buena High School in Ventura.

They responded--in writing--to a query from their history and communication arts teacher, Gregg Norberg: What if kids were allowed to choose what the family, including parents, watched on TV? What choices would you make and why?

Here are some of the responses.

* “My family was amazingly ahead of the times. When I was young we already had a V-chip. I called her mom. She was the one who forbade me to watch ‘Three’s Company’ because it was vulgar and disgusting toward women.”

--Katie Powell, 12th grade

* “Just like the way parents already supervise their children when they play with certain toys or when they go swimming in a pool, parents can make sure that their children watch only shows that are approved by the parents. . . . The V-chip is unnecessary.”

--Quyen Luu, 12th grade

* “If it was the kids’ choice what programs the family would watch, I would act responsibly. Of course we would still watch the classics such as ‘Home Improvement,’ ‘8-Track Flashback,’ ‘The X-Files,’ etc.”

--Matt Kingsley, 10th grade

* “I would limit the amount of CNN, CNBC, ‘Headline News,’ etc. that my dad watches all the time. Not totally block it, but give some time for him to see more optimistic, light-hearted programming. I’d also block off soap operas and talk shows.”

--Tim Connolly, 12th grade

* “Instead of telling my parents which television shows I would allow them to watch, I would discuss my concerns about certain programs with them and ask them to articulate why they watch that program or explain how it’s entertaining.”

--Kate Chapek, 12th grade

“No one person can make the decision for another person. Of course, the exception is a parent with a young child, but then again, every family has different views on what is considered a young child.”

--Megan Munday, 12th grade

* “What choices I would make . . . humm . . . since I am 17 and almost an adult, I would probably not even get a V-chip. I come from a good family which raised me well enough to know right from wrong.”

--Iggy Taylor, 12th grade

* “Nowadays, not even the news is safe to watch. This country should try reading, although some books are also inappropriate.”

--Jillian Oswald, 11th grade

*

There is not much this adult columnist can add to these insights. Perhaps consider the remarks of Mike Donahue, a 10th-grader: “The choice I would make would be to take the V-chip and run it over with the car. . . . It will cause fights and arguments.”