What is PG-13?

[flutterscotch]

It seems to me that everypony has their own version of what PG-13 means that dances around the actual conventions, and surely that the standards have changed through time: movies that may have gotten an R rating 20 years ago may be rated PG-13 these days and vice-versa.

So can we mutually agree on what is and is not board appropriate? A definitive list? Since if you ask a person what is OK in a PG 13 movie, depending on their upbringing, and the year they were born, the answers may be vastly different.

For the basis:

From MPAA:

PG-13 — Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13. A PG-13 rating is a sterner warning by the Rating Board to parents to determine whether their children under age 13 should view the motion picture, as some material might not be suited for them. A PG-13 motion picture may go beyond the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, adult activities or other elements, but does not reach the restricted R category. The theme of the motion picture by itself will not result in a rating greater than PG-13, although depictions of activities related to a mature theme may result in a restricted rating for the motion picture. Any drug use will initially require at least a PG-13 rating. More than brief nudity will require at least a PG-13 rating, but such nudity in a PG-13 rated motion picture generally will not be sexually oriented. There may be depictions of violence in a PG-13 movie, but generally not both realistic and extreme or persistent violence. A motion picture’s single use of one of the harsher sexually-derived words, though only as an expletive, initially requires at least a PG-13 rating. More than one such expletive requires an R rating, as must even one of those words used in a sexual context. The Rating Board nevertheless may rate such a motion picture PG-13 if, based on a special vote by a two-thirds majority, the Raters feel that most American parents would believe that a PG-13 rating is appropriate because of the context or manner in which the words are used or because the use of those words in the motion picture is inconspicuous.

British Board of Film Classification

12 A

Films under this category are considered to be unsuitable for very young people. Those aged under 12 years are only admitted if accompanied by an adult, aged at least 18 years, at all times during the motion picture. However, it is generally not recommended that children under 12 years should watch the film. Films under this category can contain mature themes, discrimination, soft drugs, commonly used milder swear words, and moderate violence/sex references.

From Wikipedia, because why not?

PG-13 – Parents Strongly Cautioned – Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13. These films may contain sex references, up to four uses of explicit language, drug innuendo, strong crude/suggestive humor, mature/political themes, moderately long horror moments and/or moderate action violence. There are usually no restrictions on non-sexual nudity. However, extreme bloodshed is rarely present. This is the minimum rating at which drug content is present; with the exception ofAustin Powers and Click. Marijuana smoking is the only illegal drug use that can be depicted in a PG-13 film, with the exception of Forrest Gump, in which a brief scene depicts an actress snorting cocaine. While PG-13 films usually have more profanity than PG films, this is not necessarily the case. A film that is given a PG-13 rating due to profane language and/or racial insults is given this rating because it contains more of these elements than a PG rating would permit, or the film contains uses of stronger profanities than a PG would permit. A film rated PG-13 for "intense violence" is given this rating if blood is present in a violent way. The films Gremlins and Indiana Jones: Temple of Doom are well known as the movies that PG-13 was created for. In recent years, this rating has been used for the majority of American films released. Some films that have received a PG-13 rating have a director's cut with an R rating.Daredevil is just an example of this practice.[19]

[TheColtofPersonality]

It seems to me that everypony has their own version of what PG-13 means that dances around the actual conventions, and surely that the standards have changed through time: movies that may have gotten an R rating 20 years ago may be rated PG-13 these days and vice-versa.

Well the thing is that most PG-13 horror movies are remakes, with violence (and quality) toned down, all probably made to attract the Twilight crowd.

For the basis:

From MPAA:

PG-13 — Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13. A PG-13 rating is a sterner warning by the Rating Board to parents to determine whether their children under age 13 should view the motion picture, as some material might not be suited for them. A PG-13 motion picture may go beyond the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, adult activities or other elements, but does not reach the restricted R category. The theme of the motion picture by itself will not result in a rating greater than PG-13, although depictions of activities related to a mature theme may result in a restricted rating for the motion picture. Any drug use will initially require at least a PG-13 rating. More than brief nudity will require at least a PG-13 rating, but such nudity in a PG-13 rated motion picture generally will not be sexually oriented. There may be depictions of violence in a PG-13 movie, but generally not both realistic and extreme or persistent violence. A motion picture’s single use of one of the harsher sexually-derived words, though only as an expletive, initially requires at least a PG-13 rating. More than one such expletive requires an R rating, as must even one of those words used in a sexual context. The Rating Board nevertheless may rate such a motion picture PG-13 if, based on a special vote by a two-thirds majority, the Raters feel that most American parents would believe that a PG-13 rating is appropriate because of the context or manner in which the words are used or because the use of those words in the motion picture is inconspicuous.

Usually things that bump a movie to a PG-13 status are:

Mild blood

Any form of foul language (even the S word is enough to make a movie PG-13 anymore, due to rabid soccer moms)

Mild nudity

Todays rating standards are quite frankly full of crap, they really mean nothing as thanks to soccer moms nothing is safe unless its a movie about singing badgers who do nothing but dance and sing... not even a villain can appear anymore because villains are too scary for kids, even ones that look like this:

Oh no a stupid looking man with purple hair, a stupid looking lady with (magenta?) hair and a strange cat thing, how horrifying!

[CrossStitch]

Well, to answer the question, you have to morally deem what is 'right' for your kids. The real question is though, what is 'right'? What does that word mean? Is everything right, unless it's wrong? Or is everything wrong unless it's right? Do we consider 'wrong' to be cursing, nudity, and violence? If so, then nature itself is wrong.

Then you have to consider, "Do I really want to shelter my child? Should they grow up knowing the world is not perfect, or should they all at once figure it out on their own when they are off on their own way?"

It's an odd dilemma to put yourself in.

[Autumn]

This is not a question directed at the Board's staff. Moving topic.

The board (canterlot.com) does not follow US movie ratings or age classification.

We try to operate on a "Suitable for all ages" basis as there is no restriction on registration based on age or level of consent.

[TheColtofPersonality]

This is not a question directed at the Board's staff. Moving topic.

The board (canterlot.com) does not follow US movie ratings or age classification.

We try to operate on a "Suitable for all ages" basis as there is no restriction on registration based on age or level of consent.

Thus the motherjumping starfish horseapples language filter

[flutterscotch]

This is not a question directed at the Board's staff. Moving topic.

The board (canterlot.com) does not follow US movie ratings or age classification.

We try to operate on a "Suitable for all ages" basis as there is no restriction on registration based on age or level of consent.

Hi Artax....

This was a question aimed at the staff.

PG-13 is specifically mentioned several times in the character creation guidelines. http://www.canterlot.com/topic/1350-canterlot-rp-full-oc-creation-guidefaq/ and has been brought up by members of the helpstaff.

[TheColtofPersonality]

I already see holes in the language filter though assuming they are just as bad as other forums...

Edit: yes they are but language filters are very flawed anyway

[Autumn]

Hi Artax....

This was a question aimed at the staff.

PG-13 is specifically mentioned several times in the character creation guidelines. http://www.canterlot.com/topic/1350-canterlot-rp-full-oc-creation-guidefaq/ and has been brought up by members of the helpstaff.

The information on that FAQ has now been corrected.

[Davroth]

Hm. This worries me a bit. I operated under the assumption that this is a PG13 environment.

Gotta watch my steps more closely from now on.

[TheColtofPersonality]

Hm. This worries me a bit. I operated under the assumption that this is a PG13 environment.

Gotta watch my steps more closely from now on.

I would not worry about it too much, with language filters I dont think it will be too much of an issue, plus users having to make more then 3 posts to go onto the other sections of the board spammers probably will be stopped quite soon.

[Parker_Izing]

It works well, by the way I know many 4 letter words, and it blocked like 95% of them. Some strong ones aren't blocked, included one synonymy for "Scootaloo" , but, hey, that's a common use word on it's right meaning.

P.S. My favourite movie is extremity Tracy, and my favourite comic, extremity Tracy too.