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
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Monday, 23 March 2009 00:00 |
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 Common Sense Media, whose mission is to improve the impact of media on children, and satellite television provider DIRECTV have teamed up to help parents choose appropriate, kid-friendly programming for their families. Common Sense Media's age-based ratings and reviews are now available to subscribers of DIRECTV's regular, pay-per-view, and on-demand services. A press release on the Common Sense Media web site explains how the partnership works:
To access the ratings information, customers click on a TV show or movie title on the DIRECTV.com programming guide and use the “Parental Ratings” tab to link directly to Common Sense Media’s helpful information on the program’s violence, sexual content, messages, and more, right at the critical point of decision. After reviewing the ratings, parents can use DIRECTV’s DVR Scheduler by simply clicking on the “record to receiver” tab and scheduling the program to record on their DVR at home – only at DIRECTV.com.
“DIRECTV is committed to delivering the best family-oriented content, and providing our customers with guidance from Common Sense Media is a great way to do this,” said Eric Shanks, executive vice president of entertainment for DIRECTV. “Parents are now finding what they need to know on DIRECTV.com to make informed programming choices for their families and then using our DVR Scheduler to set up a recording of that programming on their home DVR. We are looking forward to expanding Common Sense Media’s ratings system throughout the DIRECTV experience.” |
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Wednesday, 18 March 2009 00:00 |
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 Consumers International, an independent organization that serves as the "global voice for consumers", has released a new report that examines how multi-national food and soft drink companies are using their web sites to get kids hooked on their unhealthy products. It was done as part of CI's "Junk Food Generation" campaign, which aims to stop the marketing of junk food to children.
The study, entitled "New Media, Same Old Tricks", looked at the international websites of the top 10 food and drink companies (determined by dollars spent on advertising). It found that companies such as McDonald's and KFC are using their own websites to market junk food by using site designs that appeals to children under the age of 12. According to the study:
Free screensavers and wallpaper attracts children to the sites and presumably once downloaded these branded
freebies are an ongoing reminder of the product or fast food chain. Games and competitions encourage children to stay on the websites and registration tempts children to hand over contact information for future marketing.
To learn more about the results of this Consumers International study, download it here. |
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Last Updated on Thursday, 16 July 2009 17:19 |
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Monday, 16 March 2009 00:00 |
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 A Utah bill that would fine retailers who advertise that they do not sell M-rated video games to minors and are caught doing so, has been passed by the state senate. If the bill is signed into law, retailers who commit a violation will first undergo training on the issue; a second offense could result in a fine. The bill, authored by former attorney Jack Thompson, would go into effect in 2010 if it is signed by Utah's governor.
Details of the bill can be found on the Utah State Legislature's web site. |
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Last Updated on Thursday, 16 July 2009 17:20 |
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Tuesday, 10 March 2009 00:00 |
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 In a survey of more than 2,000 British parents, nearly three-quarters expressed concern with the content of video games. The poll, conducted by the British Board of Film Classification, was conducted as the British government examines the Byron Review, which calls for more steps to protect chidren from the harmful effects of media, including that video games designed for people aged 12 and over, regardless of content, should be reviewed by the BBFC for classification prior to release. (Currently, all video games are exempt from classification except for those that contain gross violence, sexual activity, or material that could be useful in the commission of a crime.) According to the Telegraph Online, which features an article on the survey, parents also prefer that ratings for video games and movies mirror each other.
Mike Rawlinson, director-general of Elspa, the body that represents the video games industry, says:
"UK parents need a system for videogames age classification that is built with the protection of the new generation of children in mind, and as such, delivers a robust system that works as well for games bought in-store as played online. Gamers no longer just play with their mates, they also play online, and we need a system that reflects this situation and protects their interests. The independently administered PEGI system is the right solution for child safety." |
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Thursday, 05 March 2009 00:00 |
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 The Federal Communications Commission has announced that they will be re-examining parental control devices aimed at protecting children from indecent content on television, video games and other video devices. Legislation that requires this review, called the Child Safe Viewing Act, was first introduced by Senators Mark Pryor (D-Ark) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex) and was passed by Congress last year.
Both senators are applauding the efforts of the FCC, according to a press release on Senator Pryor's web site:
“This law empowers parents with more tools to choose appropriate programming for their families,” said Senator Mark Pryor. “I’m pleased the FCC is taking a fresh look at how market-inspired technology can effectively control the sounds and images our young children are continuously exposed to through the media.”
“I am pleased that the FCC has taken steps to begin a comprehensive review of existing blocking and filtering technologies. It is a critical step toward developing the next generation of parental control tools,” said Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “As a mother of two young children I know how important it is to have options to monitor and protect children from inappropriate or harmful material, and I am committed to working with my colleagues and the FCC to spur new technologies.”
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