A new Harvard study shows violence, sex, and profanity in movies increased significantly between 1992 and 2003, while ratings became more lenient.

Research by the Kids Risk Project at the Harvard School of Public Health found a "ratings creep" for movies, and suggests that the Motion Picture Association of America was relaxing standards in rating films. 

The study, released Tuesday, suggests that films rated PG and PG-13 had become more violent; that there was more sexual content in PG, PG-13, and R films; and more profanity was used in films rated PG-13 and R.

The researchers say the current rating system does not adequately describe the content of movies.

The study also found more violence in animated G-rated films than in non-animated films with the same rating and emphasized that animation doesn't guarantee appropriate content.

(CRI.com July 15, 2004)