Background on RECS
The Good Media Good Kids Project proposes a positive system for rating children's media that can be used by parents and teachers and kids themselves. By advocating for what media can do positively for kids, the Good Media Good Kids Project emphasizes how media help kids build good character.
The Good Media Good Kids Project uses the Rating Ethical Content System (RECS) for rating children's media. RECS provides scores for how much a story emphasizes ethical sensitivity, ethical judgment, ethical focus, and ethical action.
In its first phase, the Good Media Good Kids Project is focusing on rating children's books. In following phases, children's television and movies will also be rated.
The 4 Component Model
- Ethical Sensitivity - Evidence of concern for others and awareness of the consequences of one's actions.
- Ethical Judgment - Shows characters deliberating about ethical choices.
- Ethical Focus - Addresses the ethical demand in the situation, prioritizing moral goals and responsibilities over selfish interests.
- Ethical Action - Has a character who takes several steps to reach a moral goal and perseveres to complete the ethical action.