07 February 2013

Protecting Your Child from Mature Programming on TV


In today's society, mature content on television is fairly normal. Inappropriate content appears in many shows on television. Often, families may not realize that mature content is in a show until it is too late. Controlling what content your child is exposed to has been made easier with new technology and federal guidelines. Following are two ways in which you can monitor what your child sees on television.

Use the V-chip installed in your television or converter box. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires most televisions to have a V-chip installed. If you have a newer television set, it is most likely equipped with this feature. If you do not have a new television, but have a digital-to-analog converter box, then you have a V-chip. V-chips must also be present in personal computers that have a television receiver.

V-chips work by blocking programs that have certain ratings assigned to them. Parents can set controls that only allow for viewing that they deem appropriate for their child. Examples of ratings include TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G, TV-PG, TV-14, and TV-MA. By blocking all television programs with a TV-MA, parents can ensure that their children are not exposed to mature content such as graphic violence, explicit sexual content, etc. These different ratings allow for easy monitoring as your child ages. V-chips are also password protected. Thus, parents do not have to worry about their technology savvy children changing the settings.

Parents may block specific content by working with your cable company. Families that have cable television have more options for program controls. Most providers allow users to create PINs that allow for blocking by channel, rating, and time slots. Utah cable works with families to protect their children from mature content. The creation of a PIN may also allow for selective blocking of On Demand television, Pay-Per-View, and other purchase programming. Parents may also choose to hide specific information in the television listings.

There are several online resources that aid in protecting children. The National Cable & Telecommunications Association offers tips on their website. The FCC also offers more information on V-Chip usage on their website. Parents also should engage their children in conversations about what content is acceptable. Children may also not feel comfortable watching some programs. Parents should talk to their children to learn what their children are thinking and feeling while watching television. This educates both parents and children in knowing what they should avoid when they are watching programming.

4 comments:

  1. What about commercials, though?! Have you seen some of those Carls Jr./Hardees commercials? They are way to provocative. I can't watch the news, my husband can't watch sports without a finger on the remote to change it when a commercial comes on. It's terrible. I totally agree with you about using passwords to avoid bad TV programs though. It's a small step in the right direction!

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  2. i 100% agree with this post its good to talk to your child about it

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  3. How do we protect our children? We do not have cable and we only allow them to watch dvds that have been reviewed by us (they do not get to watch tv every day). The shows nowadays are just awful. Things that were once considered too mature for kids are now on every channel. It is awful. Great tips though. I didn't know about this v-chip thing either. I am now informed!

    Erin K. (erinknack08@yahoo.com)

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  4. This is an informative article, but the best way to me is to teach them about swearing & such - install some values.
    Let them know you disapprove and explain to them why. Also set a good example - they learn what they see & live.
    When they become adults, they will have a right to choose & let's teach them to choose right!

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