Walsh D A, Gentile D A, Van Brederode T M
National Institute on Media and the Family Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Minerva Pediatr. 2002 Feb;54(1):1-11.
Numerous studies have documented the potential effects on young audiences of violent content in media products, including movies, television programs, and computer and video games. Similar studies have evaluated the effects associated with sexual content and messages. Cumulatively, these effects represent a significant public health risk for increased aggressive and violent behavior, spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and pediatric pregnancy. In partial response to these risks and to public and legislative pressure, the movie, television, and gaming industries have implemented ratings systems intended to provide information about the content and appropriate audiences for different films, shows, and games.
We conducted a panel study to test the validity of the current movie, television, and video game rating systems. Participants used the KidScore media evaluation tool, which evaluates films, television shows, and video and computer games on 10 aspects, including the appropriateness of the media product for children on the basis of age.
Results revealed that when an entertainment industry rates a product as inappropriate for children, parent raters agree that it is inappropriate for children. However, parent raters disagree with industry usage of many of the ratings designating material suitable for children of different ages. Products rated as appropriate for adolescents are of the greatest concern. The level of disagreement varies from industry to industry and even from rating to rating.
Analysis indicates that the amount of violent content and portrayals of violence are the primary markers for disagreement between parent raters and industry ratings. Short-term and long-term recommendations are suggested.
众多研究记录了媒体产品（包括电影、电视节目、电脑及视频游戏）中的暴力内容对年轻受众的潜在影响。类似研究也评估了与性内容及信息相关的影响。总体而言，这些影响对公众健康构成了重大风险，包括攻击性行为和暴力行为增加、性传播疾病传播以及青少年怀孕。作为对这些风险以及公众和立法压力的部分回应，电影、电视和游戏行业实施了分级制度，旨在提供不同电影、节目和游戏的内容信息及适合的受众群体。
我们进行了一项小组研究，以测试当前电影、电视和视频游戏分级制度的有效性。参与者使用了儿童评分媒体评估工具，该工具从10个方面对电影、电视节目以及视频和电脑游戏进行评估，包括媒体产品基于年龄对儿童的适宜性。
结果显示，当娱乐行业将某产品评定为不适合儿童时，家长评分者也认同该产品不适合儿童。然而，家长评分者不同意行业对许多标明适合不同年龄段儿童的分级的使用方式。评定为适合青少年的产品最令人担忧。分歧程度因行业而异，甚至因分级而异。
分析表明，暴力内容的数量和暴力描绘是家长评分者与行业分级之间存在分歧的主要标志。并提出了短期和长期建议。
