Parental Controls

Cable offers many channels that serve children and family viewers and provide educational, informative and entertaining programs. This choice ensures that you can find a suitable program for your family to watch any time of the day.

You can also control the programming that is viewed within your home. Cable set-top boxes feature easy-to-use parental control mechanisms that enable you to block channels that may be inappropriate for children. Additionally, the V-Chip that is built into many television sets, used in conjunction with the TV program and movie ratings, allows you to block programs you may not want your family to see. These ratings also provide you with recommendations on the family suitability of many programs on television.

Cable companies are working to educate their customers about these tools by providing information in new customer welcome kits, on company websites, and in instructional programs that are featured on some of their channels. In addition, since 1994, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), Cable in the Classroom (CIC) and the National PTA have collaborated on a national media literacy initiative designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to critically examine media messages and make informed judgments about media use.

Upon request, cable operators will provide equipment that blocks selected television channels from entering your home. Additionally, many digital set top boxes allow you to block individual programs. Your cable operator can provide you with information on how to use blocking devices, and will give you regular notice of your ability to block unwanted programs.

Most cable networks put a TV ratings icon on-screen at the beginning of every program, and encode the ratings in programs with V-Chip codes so they can be read by V-Chip equipped television sets.

In addition, the industry has announced a new campaign to let you know about the tools you can use to control programs that come into your home and make educated decisions about television viewing. The initiative, called Cable Puts You in Control, provides you with information about how to use available devices to block channels and programs; how to use the V-Chip and the TV ratings system; and where to find more information on media literacy, which helps families better understand what they see on television and in all media. Elements of the initiative include this website, public service announcements, and a series of media literacy workshops around the country sponsored by Cable in the Classroom and the National PTA.

The quickest way is by reading descriptions of television programs in your local newspaper listings (some newspapers also print TV ratings), in weekly television publications, or through the interactive program guide on your TV. TV Guide online also provides information about TV programs, including rating, and contains a Family Guide to programs appropriate for children and families. Finally, a rating icon appears in the upper left corner of the TV screen for the first 15 seconds of a program (except news and sports, which are not rated).

Digital set-top boxes provide the most advanced "parental control" capabilities available. Although specific functions of these boxes vary by manufacturer and model, typical features may include:

• Channel blocking – you may select one or more channels to block. The channel(s) will be blocked at all times unless viewing is allowed by entering a Personal Identification Number (PIN), which is created by an adult and acts as a password.
• Time and Date – you may select the program you wish to block based on date, time and channel.
• TV Parental Guidelines – you may block programs based on their TV ratings. (Some forms of programming, such as live sports, newscasts, or public affairs programs, may not be rated, and therefore cannot be blocked this way.)
• MPAA Movie Ratings – you may block movies based on their movie ratings.
• Adult Titles in Program Guide Listing – your cable operator's electronic program guide includes program titles (including premium service and Video-On-Demand). Some program guides feature the ability to "hide" titles that are intended for adult audiences.

For more information, contact your local cable operator.

Most advanced analog boxes have the ability to block user-selected channels. To block a channel, simply create a PIN code using the set-top box's remote control or keypad. The channel(s) will be blocked at all times unless viewing is allowed by entering a Personal Identification Number (PIN), which is created by an adult and acts as a password.

An alternative method that some cable companies use to block analog channels is an electronic filter that "traps" out a particular channel. This filter is physically installed on the cable equipment outside your home and provides complete blocking of the specific channel until the device is removed.

For more information, contact your local cable operator.

Some cable companies block channels by using an electronic filter that "traps" out a particular channel. This filter is physically installed on the cable equipment outside your home and provides complete blocking of the specific channel until the device is removed. Alternatively, you may request a set top box that will allow you to block channels from your cable operator.

For more information, contact your local cable operator.

Most digital set-top boxes allow you to block individual programs or movies based on their TV or movie rating. Cable-ready television sets equipped with the V-Chip also allow you to block certain programs. All television sets with screens 13 inches or larger sold after January 2000 contain a V-Chip (click here for more information about the V-Chip). Earlier generations of television sets and analog set-top boxes may not offer the ability to block certain programs.

For more information, contact your local cable operator.

Each manufacturer's V-Chip works a little differently, but provides generally the same protections. Once you're familiar with the TV Parental Guidelines rating system, activating the V-Chip is simple. Instructions can be found either in your television's on-screen menu options or its owner's manual.

The V-Chip can block programming by age-based category or content label, and can also block motion pictures on premium channels by using the movie rating system.

Premium channels are optional and sold individually, in addition to the basic or digital package to which you subscribe. Premium channels typically are not advertiser-supported, and derive most of their revenue from subscriber fees.

For example, networks like CNN, Discovery Channel and ESPN are advertiser-supported channels available as part of the "basic" cable service, while HBO, Showtime and STARZ! are premium channels. Premium channels frequently run motion pictures that are uncut and unedited.

Cable television is sold as a bundle of channels that provide you with a wide array of choices and the greatest value for your monthly service charge. You do have a choice of different bundles, or tiers, of cable TV service (Basic, Expanded Basic, Digital, etc.), as well as premium channels and video on demand.

The introduction of an "a lá carte" distribution model would reduce the availability and diversity of programming options, and could cause you to pay more money for fewer channels. It would also undermine the financial underpinnings of most basic cable networks, which depend upon both advertising revenue and subscriber fees, requiring the widest potential audience.

Laws governing the media industry treat over-the-air broadcasting and cable differently because of the fundamental distinctions between the services. Specifically, broadcasters deliver unfiltered programming free over the public airwaves, while cable is a subscription-based "opt in" service, delivered over a private network, that offers its customers tools to block unwanted programming. The U.S. Supreme Court has concluded that the key difference between cable operators and broadcasters is that "cable systems have the capacity to block unwanted channels on a household-by household basis." The Court explained that "targeted blocking is less restrictive than banning, and the Government cannot ban speech if targeted blocking is a feasible and effective means of furthering its compelling interests" (United States v. Playboy Entertainment Group (2000)).

Organizations such as the American Psychological Association and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that families become "media literate." That means being thoughtful and engaged viewers, critically examining and questioning what you see and hear. Here are some simple ways to get started.

• Take a look at how your family uses television. When and what do you watch? What do you do while watching? What do you not do because you are watching TV?
• Develop a family media strategy. Start by being purposeful viewers. Don't just turn the TV on. Instead, use program descriptions and TV ratings to help select the programs your family will watch.
• Become an active viewer, not a couch potato. Question what you are seeing and hearing. Talk back to your TV—make sure your children know when you disagree with something on a television show or commercial.
• Watch TV with your children and ask them what they're thinking and feeling as they watch. Make sure they know what's real and what isn't and can tell you if a program's primary goal is to tell you something or sell you something.
• Educate yourself about media literacy and responsible viewing. Learn more at the websites that follow.

Information on media literacy is available from Cable in the Classroom, the cable industry's educational foundation at www.ciconline.org/parents, or write Cable in the Classroom, 1724 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036.

In addition to Cable in the Classroom, the organizations below offer media literacy resources, including tips for parents, teachers and caregivers: