Age-Based Content Rating System
Encyclopedia
The Age-Based Content Rating System (ABC Rating System) is a proprietary classification of web addresses based on age appropriate
content stored in the metadata
of websites. The system was developed by Covenant Eyes
, Inc., which also pioneered the concept of Accountability software
in 2000, as a means to accurately report on and block websites for their members and subscribers.
Covenant Eyes released its Internet accountability service for computers using the Windows operating system in the summer of 2000 and the same service for Macintosh computers in the summer of 2006. The service listed all websites visited by a subscriber in an accountability report, placing questionable or pornographic websites at the top of this log. The program “scored” each web address based on objectionable terms or phrases and “flagged” or highlighted these websites on the accountability logs.
Between 2000 and 2010, Covenant Eyes used a numerical scoring system for web addresses. In 2010 the numerical score range was zero (0) to sixty-seven (67).
In December 2010, the numerical scoring system was replaced with a letter rating system. This was done to more closely match entertainment industry standards, such as the content ratings used by the Entertainment Software Rating Board
or the film ratings used by the Motion Picture Association of America
. DeHaas is noted saying, “Just as movie ratings are highly important to every movie viewer, ratings of websites will certainly become a household concept for the Internet.”
Age appropriate
Age appropriate refers to a developmental concept whereby certain activities may be deemed appropriate or inappropriate to a child's "stage" or level of development....
content stored in the metadata
Metadata
The term metadata is an ambiguous term which is used for two fundamentally different concepts . Although the expression "data about data" is often used, it does not apply to both in the same way. Structural metadata, the design and specification of data structures, cannot be about data, because at...
of websites. The system was developed by Covenant Eyes
Covenant Eyes
Covenant Eyes is a software company that specializes in accountability software and filtering software that monitors the sexual content of web pages and other metrics. Users designate an accountability partner who is sent a detailed report of the web pages visited, with the pages scored one of six...
, Inc., which also pioneered the concept of Accountability software
Accountability software
Accountability software, or Internet accountability software, is a type of computer software that provides detailed reports that account for one's actions on the Internet.- Concept :...
in 2000, as a means to accurately report on and block websites for their members and subscribers.
Rating levels
The ABC Rating System categorizes all URLs into one of six age-based ratings.| Rating | Description |
|---|---|
| E (Everyone) | Generally appropriate for all ages. |
| Y (Youth) | Generally appropriate for all ages, but parents might object for younger children. |
| T (Teen) | Generally appropriate for adults and teenagers, but parents might object to these sites for children. This content may include social networking sites like Facebook, chat rooms, and games with violence. |
| MT (Mature Teen) | Generally appropriate for adults and mature teenagers. This content may include mild profanity or contain material inappropriate for younger teens. |
| M (Mature) | May be considered appropriate by many mature adults, but is generally inappropriate for teenagers. This content may include dating sites, lingerie, crude humor, intense violence, and material of a sexual nature. |
| HM (Highly Mature) | Likely to be inappropriate for everyone. This content may include anonymizers, nudity, erotica, and pornography. |
Concept and history
In March 2011, Covenant Eyes’ President Ron DeHaas stated the purpose rating Internet content: “Our mission is to make it easy for families to talk about how the Internet is used in their home. Our reports allow parents to know how each of their kids use the Internet, and the age-based ratings for every web page visited helps parents tailor conversations to each child.”Covenant Eyes released its Internet accountability service for computers using the Windows operating system in the summer of 2000 and the same service for Macintosh computers in the summer of 2006. The service listed all websites visited by a subscriber in an accountability report, placing questionable or pornographic websites at the top of this log. The program “scored” each web address based on objectionable terms or phrases and “flagged” or highlighted these websites on the accountability logs.
Between 2000 and 2010, Covenant Eyes used a numerical scoring system for web addresses. In 2010 the numerical score range was zero (0) to sixty-seven (67).
In December 2010, the numerical scoring system was replaced with a letter rating system. This was done to more closely match entertainment industry standards, such as the content ratings used by the Entertainment Software Rating Board
Entertainment Software Rating Board
The Entertainment Software Rating Board is a self-regulatory organization that assigns age and content ratings, enforces industry-adopted advertising guidelines, and ensures responsible online privacy principles for computer and video games as well as entertainment software in Canada, Mexico and...
or the film ratings used by the Motion Picture Association of America
Motion Picture Association of America
The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. , originally the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America , was founded in 1922 and is designed to advance the business interests of its members...
. DeHaas is noted saying, “Just as movie ratings are highly important to every movie viewer, ratings of websites will certainly become a household concept for the Internet.”