Thai Youth's Perceptions and Opinions on the "Nor 18" Rating Symbol in Television Programs

Abstract

This study examined Thai youth's perceptions, opinions, and behaviors regarding the "Nor 18" rating symbol in television programs and evaluated its effectiveness as a content warning and age-appropriate guidance tool. A mixed-methods approach was employed, with quantitative data collected through convenience sampling from 217 respondents via online surveys, and qualitative data gathered through purposive sampling with in-depth interviews conducted among four undergraduate students.

The findings revealed that 99.1% of the participants correctly identified the symbol's meaning. It was most frequently encountered in movies (61.8%), violent content (59.9%), and programs containing coarse language (58.5%). Notably, 96.3% reported having watched such programs before reaching the recommended age, and 91.7% continued watching even after seeing the symbol, with 46.5% stating that they were already adults capable of making their own decisions. Furthermore, 78.8% perceived the symbol as moderately to extremely necessary, and 52.5% believed it effectively raised awareness of content sensitivity.

This study recommends the implementation of content-specific warning labels, the development of policies aligned with youth media consumption behaviors in the digital age, and the integration of media literacy into the rating system to enhance its role in protecting and educating young audiences.