What Are They?
The MPAA (Motion Picture Academy of America) rates every nationally released movie. This group of anonymous people decides whether a movie should be G for general audiences, PG for parental guidance, PG-13 for kids 13 and older, or R -- which means a parent or adult has to accompany any child under 17.

Why You Should Care?
Because today\'s PG-13 is the same as an R rating 10 years ago. And because the ratings tell you very little about what is actually in the movie (what is "thematic content," anyway?). The people who hand out the ratings don\'t necessarily have a background in child development, and the criteria they use to make their assessments aren\'t made public. Thus you, the parent, must rely on some unknown people using unarticulated criteria to help you make a movie decision for your child.

Some Facts You Should Know

• Movie ratings are awarded by the movie industry itself -There are no published standards for what goes into rating a movie
• The ratings board is anonymous
• A PG-13 rating today equals an R rating of 10 years ago (according to a Harvard University study)

Common Sense Says

• Know before they go. The MPAA ratings are both unreliable and obscure. Do your homework. Go to www.commonsensemedia.org or other movie rating sites.
• Offer an alternative. Every review on our site offers other choices.
• Just say no. Maybe all the other kids are seeing the latest inappropriate movie. But if the content isn/'t right for your kids, just say no. They/'ll forget all about it within days. Besides, they have to be mad at you for something!
• Try postponing. If a movie is too scary for younger kids, tell them you\'ll rent it later on DVD -- that way you can fast forward through the scary or icky stuff. 
• Watch the iffier movies with your kids. That way you can have thoughtful discussions with them about content that you may find inappropriate.