June declared Ratings Awareness Month

As politicians across the country attempt to pass laws that give parents the tools they need to keep violent games away from their children, the industry is trying to make parents more aware of the tools already at their disposal.

June has been declared Entertainment Ratings and Labeling Awareness Month by the Coalition of Entertainment Retail Trade Associations, a group including the newly formed Entertainment Merchants Association. This is the third consecutive year CERTA has pegged June as the month "to increase parents' awareness of the ratings and labeling systems for movies, music, and video games and let parents know that stores, online services, and movie theaters are committed to helping them control their children's access to entertainment that is inappropriate for minors."

One of the reasons the group chose June was because it marks the start of summer vacation for many children and an increase in the amount of time they spend enjoying movies, music, and games. In addition to the EMA, CERTA includes the National Association of Theatre Owners, National Association of Recording Merchandisers, and the Digital Media Association.