Can we, as adults, trust the ratings of games, movies, and
television shows when deciding what Batman platforms our children should in
take? Yes. According to an article written by Kira A. Varava and Brian L.
Quick, “ratings currently give parents
and movie theaters the necessary information about film content to protect
children and adolescents from seeing sexual and other unsuitable content to
ensure that they are not influenced by age inappropriate messages.”
So what does each
rating stand for? In games, there is E for everyone 10 and up, T for teen, and M
mature. In television shows and movies, there is G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17. G
is for general audiences and is the least restrictive rating. PG suggests the
use of parental guidance and PG-13 suggests the use of parental guidance to
anyone under the age of 13 due to possible inappropriate content. R requires
the accompaniment of an adult for anyone under 17. NC-17 is the most
restrictive and movie theaters do not allow anyone under the age of 17, even if
an adult accompanies him or her, to see the film.
Seems pretty cut and
dry to me. Or is it? Varava and Quick discuss the possible negative impacts on
the choices individual viewers make in their article. Does the more restrictive
ratings entice young adults to see these movies? This question leads me to the
forbidden fruit effect. The forbidden fruit effect is the indulgence in a
pleaser that is either illegal or immoral. So do young ones want the forbidden
fruit? Probably. But will they succeed in eating it? Maybe, maybe not. Every
child is different, some might want to watch the R movie simply because they
can’t and others are perfectly content with G rated. It all comes down to
parenting and personality. If a parent truly doesn’t want their kids to be
exposed to the presented content of the more restrictive ratings, they have all
the power to stop it (this excludes the rebellious teens like myself who
mastered the art of sneaking into theaters, sorry mom and dad).
For those moms and
dads with Bat lovers on their hands, here are the ratings of the more popular
Batman platforms:
Movies:
Batman Begins – PG 13
The Dark Knight – PG 13
The Dark Knight Rises – PG 13
Batman (1966, starring Adam West) – PG
Batman: Year One – PG 13
Batman Forever – PG 13
Batman & Robin - PG 13
Video Games:
Batman
Begins (2005) - T
Lego
Batman (2008) - E
Batman:
Arkham Asylum (2009) - T
DC
Universe Online (2011) - T
Batman:
Arkham City (2011) - T
Batman: Arkham Origins (2013) -
Batman: Arkham Knight (2015) – M (first Batman 
