Kids Entertainment Shows in Australia
Kids are a major entertainment demographic. For parents, it can be tricky to know what is appropriate for their children to watch. In Australia, the TV networks have a classification system so you can find out what your child will be able to watch.
Seven has three types of programs: G for General programming, PG rated content is not recommended for children under the age of 15 and M rated content is not suitable for anyone under 18 years old. Nine also has three types of programs: G for General programming, PG rated content is not recommended for children under the age of 15 and MA ratings means that mature audiences over 18 years may experience strong language or themes unsuitable for younger viewers.
Each network has specialised programs for children. For example, on Seven you can watch "Now and Then" which is a show following the lives of five children through their school years.
Kids are also big users of technology, with internet access on first screen in Australia being 61% in 2012. This is up from just 31% in 2010. Kids are using this to watch videos on the internet - 51% have watched online videos and an additional 38% have used the internet to find other educational content.
There is also a high demand for structured educational programs, with 46% of parents saying that their children have enjoyed a pre-school or preschool education program.
Kids spend an average of 94 minutes per day watching TV and nearly two hours per day watching videos on the Internet. Around 40% are connected to the Internet throughout the day, which means it is important to make sure you provide a good broadband connection. This will ensure that your children can access the latest technology and educational content in their own time.
Alongside traditional television channels, there are many subscription video on demand services such as YouTube Kids and Netflix Kids which allow kids to access games, videos and other interactive content on their personal devices.
The Australian Classification Board (ACB) has set out various classes for television programs. This list contains the ratings for each program on the Australian free-to-air television networks: Seven, Nine, ABC, SBS and two channels which are only available in select regional areas.
M (mature audiences): Programmes that are unsuitable for persons under 18 years of age. This rating is not intended to be a device to restrict broadcast by those who consider some material inappropriate for children. It is permissible to use this rating if advised by a supervising adult where it is considered that material may affect children and it is also permissible to prevent children from watching such programs if they are likely to be harmed by them. This rating is only applicable to:
MA (mature audiences): Programmes that are unsuitable for persons under 18 years of age. This rating is not intended to be a device to restrict broadcast by those who consider some material inappropriate for children. It is permissible to use this rating if advised by a supervising adult where it is considered that material may affect children and it is also permissible to prevent children from watching such programs if they are likely to be harmed by them. This rating is only applicable to:
G (General): Programs suitable for all ages, including adults. Programmes and content classified M and MA will have a G classification at the discretion of the broadcaster.
The ACB provides a classification of a television programme based on the intended audience. This page provides an explanation of the types of programs based on this classification.
This program contains content which is considered to be offensive to the Australian community and therefore is restricted to adults 18 years and over only.
This program contains content which would be considered offensive to a reasonable adult however provides a defense for persons under 18 years of age as follows: "Persons under 18 must not view or listen at any time".
This program contains content which would be considered offensive to a reasonable adult however provides a defense for persons under 15 years of age as follows: "Persons under 15 must not view or listen at any time".
This program contains content which would be considered offensive to a reasonable adult however provides a defense for persons under 12 years of age as follows: "Persons under 12 must not view or listen at any time".
This program contains content which would be considered offensive to a reasonable adult however provides a defense for persons under 18 years of age as follows: "Persons under 18 must not view or listen at any time".
This program contains content which would be considered offensive to a reasonable adult however provides a defense for persons under 15 years of age as follows: "Persons under 15 must not view or listen at any time".
This program contains content which would be considered offensive to a reasonable adult however provides a defense for persons under 12 years of age as follows: "Persons under 12 must not view or listen at any time".
These programs are restricted to adults 18 years and over only.
These programs contain content which is considered to be offensive to the Australian community and therefore is restricted to adults 18 years and over only.
These programs contain content which is considered to be offensive to the Australian community and therefore is restricted to adults 18 years and over only.
This program contains content which would be considered offensive to a reasonable adult however provides a defense for persons under 18 years of age as follows: "Persons under 18 must not view or listen at any time".
This program contains content which would be considered offensive to a reasonable adult however provides a defense for persons under 15 years of age as follows: "Persons under 15 must not view or listen at any time".
This program contains content which would be considered offensive to a reasonable adult however provides a defense for persons under 12 years of age as follows: "Persons under 12 must not view or listen at any time".
This program contains content which would be considered offensive to a reasonable adult however provides a defense for persons under 18 years of age as follows: "Persons under 18 must not view or listen at any time".
This program contains content which would be considered offensive to a reasonable adult however provides a defense for persons under 15 years of age as follows: "Persons under 15 must not view or listen at any time".
This program contains content which would be considered offensive to a reasonable adult however provides a defense for persons under 12 years of age as follows: "Persons under 12 must not view or listen at any time".
These programs are restricted to adults 18 years and over only.
cONCLUSION: The viewing or listening of this program and the material contained therein is PROHIBITED TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS.
These programs contain content which is considered to be offensive to the Australian community and therefore is restricted to adults 18 years and over only.
These programs contain content which is considered to be offensive to the Australian community and therefore is restricted to adults 18 years and over only.
This program contains content which would be considered offensive to a reasonable adult however provides a defense for persons under 18 years of age as follows: "Persons under 18 must not view or listen at any time".