Parents, Children and the Television Ratings System: Two Kaiser Family Foundation Surveys. Summary of Findings/Toplines.

A study presented the results of two national, random sample surveys about the use of and interaction with the television ratings system by parents and children. The telephone survey was conducted between April 2-26, 1998, and involved interviews with 1,358 parents of children ages 2-17 and 446 children ages 10-17. Results were reported for 69 interview questions for adults, 11 demographics questions, and 35 interview questions for children. Topics of findings included: parental concerns about television content; use, opinions, and understanding of ratings system by parents; reasons system is not used as often by some parents; changes in the ratings system; the V-chip; children's use and understanding of the system; the backlash effect; parent/child communication on the ratings system; and television use. A pack consisting of 22 charts is attached. (EF)