Some Footage of September 11 Would be R-Rated. Turn it Off for the Kids' Sake

If you're the parents of young kids or sensitive, impressionable children of any age: just turn it off this weekend. The September 11 coverage, that is. Or, watch in adult-privacy. Because let's face it, some of the footage coverage is scary, graphic, and in-your-face violent: terrorist attacks, fire, agony, loss. Even though it's news, not a movie, still, I'd rate it as a PG-13 to an R, depending.


Using these guidelines, decide for yourself:

According to The Motion Picture Association:

• In G-rated motion pictures, "depictions of violence are minimal."
• PG -- have " some depictions of violence " but not intensely so.
• PG-13 may have "depictions of violence," they say, "but generally not both realistic and extreme or persistent violence." Some media coverage of 9/11 will certainly show realistic and extreme violence.
• R -- R-rated movies have" intense or persistent violence," they say. Some footage, of the events of 9/11 show intense violence. "Generally, it is not appropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures," they recommend.
• NC-17 -- No One 17 and Under Admitted movies "can be based on violence" and other things that "most parents would consider too strong and therefore off-limits for viewing by their children."

How to Talk to Kids about September 11: Read a Book