With the development of the Platform for Internet Content Selection (PICS), anyone on the Internet, including web site operators and independent third parties, can create content-rating systems. Unlike television and the "V-Chip", the Internet can support multiple rating systems -- giving parents tremendous control over what their kids can access online consistent with their family's values.

Content Rating Systems for the Net

• The Platform for Internet Content Selection (PICS). Technical standards developed by the World Wide Web Consortium and the Internet industry which enable multiple, independent, third party rating systems to operate simultaneously on the Internet.

• NetShepherd. A rating system that has labeled over 300,000 web sites.

• RSACi. A self-labeling system allowing Internet publishers to describe the levels of sex, nudity, violence, and harsh language. To date, over 35,000 sites have self-rated with RSACi.

• Safe Surf. A PICS-compatible rating system that has labeled over 50,000 web sites.

• Microsoft Internet Explorer

Netscape has pledged to add PICS compatibility soon. Once implemented in both of the major web browsers, parental empowerment through the use of Internet rating systems will available to nearly 100% of Internet users today. Progress is also being made towards the development of multiple rating systems to give parents a variety of options.