The Coalition for Independent Ratings Services

is a non-profit organization that promotes independent ratings services.  We believe is crucial that the groups rating the movies, TV, video games, etc are not the same ones who are trying to sell those products to you.  Since they don't have a financial interest in any particular product, independent ratings providers can be much more objective.


The goal of this site is to be a "one-stop shop" for everything related to independent ratings systems and services.


Click the links above to


  • Read our blog

  • Read the latest news related to ratings

  • See the most complete list of independent ratings on the web
Helping Parents Stay Informed About Online Gaming
News

As the Entertainment Software Rating Board turns 15, president Patricia Vance is helping parents stay informed about a new avenue for media use and how they can protect their children from potentially harmful content.  In her article entitled “Connecting Parents with Online-Enabled Video Games”, Vance discusses the impact the Internet has had on gaming and what parents should know about what their kids are playing online. For example, new trends like MMOs (Massively Multiplayer Online) and DLC (Downloadable Content) let kids play games like “World of Warcraft” with almost anyone in the world or download just about any kind of gaming content.  And just what can parents do to help kids make smart online choices? Vance offers tips like keeping the console in a public area of the house rather than in the child’s bedroom and checking the ESRB ratings and rating summaries for each game.  The article in full can be seen here.

But children are also surfing the Internet for free online games—ones that aren’t rated by the ESRB.  The Chicago Tribune recently offered ways in which parents can help their children surf safer for these games. These tips can be seen here.
 
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