It is essential for you as a concerned parent to have an understanding of the age rating system that is used by Netflix in order to monitor and exercise control over the material that your kid views on the service. Although Netflix does have a system for assigning age ratings to its material, it isn’t always easy to tell at a glance what kind of programming corresponds to each classification.
You seem to have a special fascination with the TV-MA classification, which denotes content intended for a mature audience. This rating is awarded to programmes that are meant for adult audiences and may feature graphic violence, uncensored sex scenes, carnage, harsh language, and other mature themes. programmes that get this rating may also contain additional mature topics. It is defined as material intended for mature audiences.
Reviewing and comprehending the ratings is a good idea if you want to be sure that your kid does not have access to inappropriate material. If required, you can also think about blocking the TV-MA classification. You will have a much easier time managing and controlling the material that your kid may access on Netflix if you first familiarise yourself with the ratings and then take the required steps to set up parental controls or limitations on your account.
By doing so, you can guarantee that kids are only shown programmes that are acceptable for their age range, as well as keep the watching environment secure and appropriate for them.
What Qualifies a Netflix Series as TV-MA?
Netflix states that a series or TV programme with the classification TV-MA (Mature Audience only) is suitable for viewers who are above the age of 17 by giving it the “Mature Audience only” designation. It indicates that the material may include overtly violent or sexually explicit scenes, foul language, or both alone or in conjunction with other adult themes.
The R rating and the NC-17 classification that are given out by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) are quite comparable to the TV-MA rating that is given out by Netflix. Its purpose is to provide viewers some direction on the amount of maturity they need possess in order to read the material safely.
TV programmes such as Dark, Money Heist, Black Mirror, and The Umbrella Academy are all examples of popular shows that have been given the TV-MA rating. Even animated series like BoJack Horseman, The Simpsons, and Family Guy, which are traditionally associated with a younger audience owing to their animation nature, have the potential to be given a TV-MA classification. These programmes have the potential to offend the sensitivities and moral standards of certain viewers due to the use of sexual conversations and images, acts of violence, and humour.
It is vital for parents and viewers to be aware of these ratings and use them as a reference when deciding what material is acceptable for themselves or their children. These ratings may be found on the back of television and movie packaging.
The Netflix Rating System Is Broken Down Like This:
It is true that Netflix assigns ratings to individual episodes of a show rather than giving a single grade to a whole series when it comes to the material it provides. This makes it possible to provide direction that is more tailored to the specifics of each unique episode’s material.
The content ratings on Netflix are broken down into four distinct age brackets, namely: Little Kids, Older Kids, Teens, and Mature. These categories are then broken down even further into the following subcategories:
- Little Kids:
- TV-Y: Content suitable for all children.
- G: General audience content.
- TV-G: General audience content suitable for all ages.
- Older Kids:
- PG: Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
- TV-Y7: Content suitable for children ages 7 and above.
- TV-Y7-FV: Content suitable for children ages 7 and above with fantasy violence.
- TV-PG: Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
- Teens:
- PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
- TV-14: Content suitable for viewers ages 14 and above.
- Mature:
- R: Restricted. Restricted to viewers over 17 years old.
- NC-17: No one 17 and under admitted.
- TV-MA: Mature audience only. Content may be unsuitable for children under 17.
These ratings provide users, especially parents, with the information they need to make educated choices about the material they choose to watch on Netflix or the content they allow their children to watch.
TV-MA & R Rating
You are absolutely accurate in pointing out the parallels that exist between the TV-MA classification and the R rating. Both of these ratings indicate programming that is geared towards older audiences and has the potential to include explicit material. Having said that, there are unquestionably substantial disparities between the two evaluations.
To begin, as you’ve already indicated, the TV-MA rating is used within the realm of television and broadcasting, however the R rating is utilised within the realm of the movie rating system. This indicates that the TV-MA rating system applies to shows and programmes on television, whilst the R rating system applies to movies.
Second, within the framework of the grading system for motion pictures, the R grade is not the most stringent classification. The most stringent rating is really an NC-17, which indicates that no one under the age of 17 is permitted entry, regardless of whether or not they are accompanied by an adult. This rule applies regardless of whether or not the individual is in the company of an adult. Due to the R classification, all minors under the age of 17 are required to be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult.
In comparison, the most stringent classification in the television and broadcasting rating system is TV-MA, which stands for “television-mature.” It indicates that the material is designed only for adults and is not suitable for anybody younger than 17 years old. TV programmes that are classified TV-MA are permitted to incorporate content that would be considered R-rated or NC-17 rated if it were a movie.
Because it is the highest rating in the TV rating system and may contain material that is comparable to both R and NC-17 ratings in films, TV-MA can thus be regarded to be a more limited classification than the R rating. This is because TV-MA can include content that is equivalent to both R and NC-17 ratings in films.
Shows That Are Netflix that are TV-MA
It is essential to take into consideration that the TV-MA classification denotes that the material is geared towards audiences of an adult nature and may include explicit content that is not appropriate for anyone younger than 17 years old.
Included on the list that you gave are popular television programmes such as The Simpsons, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Ozark, Family Guy, Dark, Money Heist, Black Mirror, The Umbrella Academy, and Succession. The material of these episodes, which have acquired popularity among Netflix viewers, may involve coarse language, sexual situations, violent acts, or other adult themes and may even include graphic violence.
It is essential for parents and other responsible adults to be aware of these ratings in order to make educated judgements about the media content that their children view. Additionally, because the substance of a television programme might change from episode to episode, it is essential to evaluate each episode on its own merits. You brought this point up.
Viewers are able to make decisions that are congruent with their tastes and that provide an appropriate watching experience for themselves and their family if they keep the TV-MA classification in mind and are aware of the content requirements.
The Reason Behind Netflix’s Star Ratings
You are completely correct in every way. Ratings are meant to provide viewers a basic sense of the kind of material they are going to see so that they may make an informed decision about whether or not to watch it. Individuals are better able to make educated judgements regarding the appropriateness of a programme or movie for themselves or their family members based on factors such as age and personal preferences when they have access to ratings.
When it comes to programming geared towards children, there are divisional categories that are designed to appeal to various age groups. Some examples of these ratings are TV-Y, TV-PG, TV-G, and TV-14. This is due to the fact that children of diverse ages have varied degrees of mental maturity as well as preferences for information that is more engaging and suitable for their age group. Children’s interests and preferences change as they get older, and as a result, they look for television programmes that have plots and characters who are more nuanced.
In the United States, organisations such as the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) have developed content rating rules, and Netflix, along with other streaming companies, adheres to these guidelines. In addition, government authorities may propose, for regional platforms, a specialised content grading system that is aligned with the cultural and regulatory standards of that area.
By following to these rating systems, streaming services like Netflix are able to present users with a varied selection of material while also ensuring that acceptable criteria are followed. This enables users to make educated decisions about what they watch, which is beneficial to both the viewer and the streaming provider.
Ratings for Netflix Content Intended for Younger Audiences
You are quite correct in stating that the landscape of children’s entertainment has changed over the course of time, and it is essential for parents to be conscious of whether or not the material is appropriate for their children. The ratings system is designed to assist parents make educated choices by offering recommendations regarding the suitability of various programmes for children of varying ages.
Ratings such as TV-Y and TV-Y7 are intended for younger audiences and are supposed to reflect content that is suitable for children of a certain age range. The programming on TV-Y is geared at a very young audience and is appropriate for kids of all ages. If a programme is rated TV-Y7, it means that it is appropriate for children aged 7 and older and that it may include more violent fantasy scenes.
TV-G programming is designed to be appropriate for viewers of all ages, and as such, it has only minimum to no violent content, language that is not too offensive, and neither sexual discourse nor settings. The rating of TV-PG implies that part of the material may not be appropriate for younger children and may need the supervision of a parent or other adult owing to the use of crude language, light sexual content, provocative discussion, or minor violence.
TV-14 indicates that the material is deemed unsuitable for children under the age of 14, and it may feature very provocative conversation, harsh language, serious sexual situations, or excessive violence. In addition, it may contain scenes that are graphic in nature. It is intended to act as a caution to parents that the material may not be appropriate for viewers who are younger.
Parents are able to make educated decisions about what their children watch when they have an awareness of these ratings and are aware of the precise age-appropriate categories. This allows parents to ensure that their children are exposed to material that is suitable for their current stage of development and degree of maturity.
How to Stop Kids from Watching Unsuitable Netflix Content
You, as a parent, have the ability to provide your children with a watching experience that is secure and suitable for their age by establishing viewing limitations and creating a separate profile for your children to use only for Netflix. Create a profile for your child on Netflix by following these steps:
- Launch the Netflix app on your device, or browse to the website for Netflix.
- Navigate to “Manage Profiles” or “Manage Profiles & More” (depending on the device you’re using), depending on the options available.
- To create a new profile, you may do so by tapping the “Add Profile” or “+ Add Profile” button.
- The profile should be given a name (for example, your child’s name), and the “Kids” profile type should be selected as the profile type.
- To create the Kids profile, either tap the “Continue” button or the “Save” button.
After you have set up the Kids profile, it will deliver a specialised experience with material that has been carefully selected with the needs of children in mind. The Kids profile includes viewing restrictions and filters that block access to material that is deemed to be improper for children or otherwise inappropriate.
It has been brought to our attention that profiles that have the Netflix Kids Experience enabled have restricted access to their accounts’ settings and are unable to modify the parental control options. The Kids profile will only showcase kid-friendly television series and films, and users won’t have access to the Netflix Games library while they’re using the Kids profile.
If you already have a profile and you want to change it to the Kids profile, you can do so by going into your account settings and selecting the option to show the Netflix Kids experience with titles that are only available for children. If you already have a profile and you want to change it to the Kids profile, you can do so by clicking here.
If you make use of Netflix’s Kids profile option, you will be able to make the streaming platform a friendlier and less dangerous place for your children to watch Netflix.
Use more than just parental controls
It is vital to supplement parental controls with active parental engagement in order to ensure that your kid is protected from exposure to adult material to the same level of effectiveness as the controls themselves.
You can quickly visit your child’s profile on your phone at any time to keep tabs on what they watch on the screen. You will be able to see the information that they have been seeing on the main page if you check out their profile.
Additionally, it is recommended that you watch Netflix shows and films with your children. You will then be able to keep a close eye on their watching choices and provide suggestions on stuff that would be appropriate for them to consume.
It is not encouraged to place exclusive reliance on the automatic methods provided by Netflix rather than adopting any preventative steps. When parents are actively involved in the process, parental control settings function in the most efficient manner possible.
You May Also Like- What Does TV MA Mean? (TV-MA vs. R)?
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is TV-MA for?
There is a rating called TV-MA that is given to television shows that are exclusively meant for viewers over the age of 17. It is not appropriate for those under the age of 17, including children. This classification is comparable to R and NC-17, both of which are given out by the Motion Picture Association of America. The content of a TV-MA rating may include features such as sexual conversations and portrayals, explicit scenes, acts of violence, and jokes that are deemed obscene.
What is a 98% match on Netflix?
A suggestion on Netflix that scores 98% when it comes to matching your particular interests and watching behaviour is considered to be a very good match. This match score is determined by Netflix based on a number of variables, including the genres of material you have recently interacted with, the sorts of content you normally view, and the types of content you have given a thumbs up to in the past. A higher score suggests that there is a greater possibility that the material that is suggested to you will be to your liking.
What does 7+ mean on Netflix?
If a programme on Netflix has the rating “7+,” it indicates that it is appropriate for children who are at least 7 years old but not younger. This age-based grading system assists in ensuring that the material is acceptable for children to view and is appropriate for their age group.