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

Abstract

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.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sarah E. Vaala

Sarah E. Vaala (Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania) is a research associate at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and senior fellow at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop. Her research examines diverse educational and health implications of media in the lives of youth and the way parents and educators make decisions about children’s media use. Her current work leverages media as education and health intervention tools for youth.

Amy Bleakley

Amy Bleakley (Ph.D., M.P.H., Columbia University) is a senior research scientist at the Annenberg School for Communication of the University of Pennsylvania. Her research investigates the intersection of youth, media, and health, particularly how media affect various health risk behaviors and cognitions.

Jessica Castonguay

Jessica Castonguay (Ph.D., University of Arizona) is an assistant professor of Advertising at Temple University. Her research interests include advertising law/ethics, children's media and health communication.

Amy B. Jordan

Amy B. Jordan (Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania) is associate dean for Undergraduate Studies at the Annenberg School for Communication of the University of Pennsylvania. She studies media and the well-being of children and adolescents and evaluates the impact of public policy on the landscape of children's television.