Content Rating Systems Explained: TV Ratings for Streaming

Ever sat down to watch a show with your kids, only to realize halfway through that it’s way darker than you expected? You’re not alone. Streaming services have changed how we watch TV-but they haven’t made it easier to know what’s actually on. Unlike old-school broadcast TV with its clear ratings, streaming platforms use a mix of labels, icons, and hidden systems that can confuse even the most careful parents. This isn’t about censorship. It’s about clarity. You need to know what your kids are watching, not just guess based on the cover art.

How TV Ratings Work on Streaming Platforms

Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video don’t use the same rating system you saw on broadcast TV in the 90s. They’ve built their own. But here’s the catch: most of them still follow the same basic categories as the U.S. TV Parental Guidelines. You’ll see labels like TV-Y, TV-PG, TV-14, and TV-MA. These aren’t made up by the platforms-they’re borrowed from the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board, a group created in 1997 with input from broadcasters, child psychologists, and parents.

TV-Y means the show is designed for all children, even toddlers. Think Bluey or Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. TV-PG is for general audiences but may include mild language, suggestive themes, or cartoon violence. That’s where you’ll find most animated family shows. TV-14 is the big gray zone. It’s not for kids under 14. You’ll see shows like Stranger Things or The Umbrella Academy labeled here-there’s swearing, some violence, and mature themes, but nothing explicit. TV-MA is the red flag. It’s meant for adults only. Think Succession, The Last of Us, or Peaky Blinders. These shows have graphic violence, strong language, or sexual content that’s not filtered.

But here’s what most people miss: these ratings are often applied inconsistently. One streaming service might label a show as TV-14, while another calls it TV-MA for the same episode. Why? Because each platform has its own internal review team. Netflix has a team of over 200 content reviewers. They watch every show and assign ratings based on their own internal thresholds. Disney+ tends to be stricter. Amazon sometimes leans more permissive. There’s no universal standard-just a loose framework.

Why Streaming Ratings Are Harder to Trust

On cable TV, you knew what you were getting. The ratings were printed in the TV guide, shown before the show, and enforced by federal rules. Streaming? It’s a wild west. The ratings are buried. You have to click into the show’s details page. Sometimes they’re not even there. On Apple TV+, for example, the rating might only appear if you’re using the app on a TV, not on your phone.

And then there’s the problem of context. A show like Heartstopper has a TV-14 rating, but it’s a sweet, teen-focused romance with no violence. Meanwhile, a documentary about war might get the same rating but contain graphic footage. The rating doesn’t tell you *why* it’s rated that way. That’s the biggest gap. You need to know if the content is emotionally intense, sexually explicit, or just mildly edgy.

Some platforms now add content descriptors. Netflix uses icons: a fist for violence, a heart for sexual content, a skull for strong language. These help-but they’re still easy to miss. If you’re scrolling on a small screen after a long day, you’re not going to read the tiny text under the play button.

What Parents Actually Need to Know

You don’t need to become a content analyst. You need a simple system. Start with this rule: if the show is labeled TV-14 or higher, assume it’s not for kids under 14. That’s the baseline. But here’s the real trick: use the parental controls built into your device or streaming app.

On Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire Stick, you can set up profiles. Create a child profile and lock it to TV-Y and TV-PG only. That’s it. No more surprises. You don’t need to check every show. The system does it for you.

On Netflix, go to Account > Parental Controls. Set a PIN and choose a maturity level. You can block TV-MA entirely. On Disney+, you can set up a Kids profile that automatically filters out anything above TV-PG. These settings are powerful-and most people never turn them on.

Also, don’t rely on the show’s title or thumbnail. Outer Range sounds like a space adventure. It’s not. It’s a slow-burn psychological thriller with disturbing imagery. My Adventures with Superman looks like a kids’ cartoon. It’s got mild violence and some romantic tension. The rating tells you more than the marketing does.

How to Use Ratings Like a Pro

Here’s a quick cheat sheet you can use right now:

• TV-Y: Safe for any age. Perfect for preschoolers.
• TV-PG: Fine for kids 7+, but watch with younger ones. Some mild themes.
• TV-14: Not for kids under 14. Expect language, some violence, or emotional intensity.
• TV-MA: Adult-only. Avoid unless you’re sure your teen can handle it.

And here’s what to do next:

1. Go to your streaming app settings.
2. Create a separate profile for each child.
3. Lock each profile to the highest maturity level you’re comfortable with (TV-PG for most kids under 12).
4. Set a PIN so no one can change it.
5. Check the ratings before letting them pick a show. Don’t trust the cover.

Some parents worry this is too controlling. But it’s not about control. It’s about giving kids space to explore-on their own terms, at their own age. A 10-year-old doesn’t need to see a character get shot. A 16-year-old might be ready for it. The rating system exists to help you make that call.

What’s Missing and What’s Coming

The biggest problem with current ratings? They don’t reflect emotional impact. A show like BoJack Horseman has a TV-MA rating, but its real danger is depression and trauma-not sex or violence. There’s no icon for "this will make your kid cry for days."

Some experts are pushing for a new system: a "content impact score" that rates shows on emotional intensity, psychological themes, and social context. It’s still in testing. For now, the best tool you have is still the old TV ratings-used wisely.

Also, keep an eye on updates. In 2025, the Federal Communications Commission started working with major streaming services to standardize how ratings are displayed. By 2026, you might see a unified icon system across Netflix, Hulu, and Apple TV+. That’s coming. But it’s not here yet.

Final Tip: Talk to Your Kids

Parental controls are a shield. But the real protection comes from conversation. If your 13-year-old wants to watch Stranger Things, watch the first episode with them. Ask: "What did you think when that character disappeared?" "Did that scare you?" "Would you want to be in that world?"

That’s how ratings become useful. Not because they tell you what’s dangerous-but because they start a conversation about what matters.