“What Does PG-13 Mean?”

A PG-13 rating is an age-based rating used by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to indicate whether a movie is suitable for a person under thirteen years of age. Generally, movies that earn a PG-13 rating contain some material that may be inappropriate for pre-teens, with parents of those viewers encouraged to take that rating into account when deciding whether to watch the movie with their kid.

Parental Guidance – What Parents Should Know

The PG-13 rating was introduced in 1984 in order to indicate that there may be material in the movie that pre-teens should not watch, even if accompanied by their parents or guardians. Movie content that may earn a PG-13 rating includes moderate language, violence and brief nudity. It’s important to note that the PG-13 rating does not constitute a “Warn the Parent” context, but rather a “Guidance” context – the stronger the guidance, the higher the rating.

PG-13 vs. R Rated Movies

PG-13 rated movies are often thought of as being not as strong as R rated movies, due to the fact that most theaters will only show PG-13 films to those under 17 years of age. Compared to R rated films, PG-13 movies tend to contain lesser (but more intense) levels of swearing and violence, and directors often try to make the material more suitable for a general audience. Though the movie may not be appropriate for viewers under 13, it is generally deemed suitable and appropriate for viewers 17 and older.

In the end, PG-13 movies may not be suitable for all viewers, and it’s ultimately up to the parent or guardian to decide whether a person under 13 should watch the movie. The rating is just a guideline and it’s important to take into account not only the age of the viewer, but also the content of the movie itself, to determine if it is suitable for the viewer.