Parents' Use of the V-Chip and Perceptions of Television Ratings: The Role of Family Characteristics and the Home Media Environment

Nearly 20 years after the Telecommunications Act of 1996, it is unclear how its mandates influence current parents' mediation behavior. Parents of 2- to 17-year-old children (N = 1,431) were surveyed about their awareness and perceptions of the TV ratings system and use of the V-chip. Most (81%...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of broadcasting & electronic media 2017-07, Vol.61 (3), p.518-537
Main Authors: Vaala, Sarah E., Bleakley, Amy, Castonguay, Jessica, Jordan, Amy B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Censorship
Children
Families & family life
Family roles
Information technology
Mass media effects
Mediation
Parents & parenting
Policy making
Telecommunications
Television viewing
V Chip
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Summary:Nearly 20 years after the Telecommunications Act of 1996, it is unclear how its mandates influence current parents' mediation behavior. Parents of 2- to 17-year-old children (N = 1,431) were surveyed about their awareness and perceptions of the TV ratings system and use of the V-chip. Most (81%) parents knew about the ratings system and found it to be only "somewhat useful." Only 16% of those parents had ever used the V-chip. Ratings awareness and perceptions and V-chip use varied with family characteristics. Policymakers should revisit how to provide better tools for mediating children's viewing in this new information age.
ISSN:0883-8151
1550-6878
DOI:10.1080/08838151.2017.1344668