TV Parental Controls
Managing TV Content
As the entire media industry has been challenged to provide parents ways to screen children from inappropriate content, the cable industry has built upon its longstanding commitment to address parents' concerns about what they and their children see on television.
In addition to offering the widest diversity of programming that viewers of all ages can enjoy, cable companies believe they have an important responsibility to provide customers with the necessary tools and resources to manage content that some deem inappropriate.
Learn more about the industry's educational efforts at the Control Your TV website.
Examining the Issue
The Current State of Parental Contols
10/11/2007
"Parental Control Perfection? The Impact of the DVR and VOD Boom on the Debate over TV Content Regulation" Abstract: In this report, the Progress & Freedom Foundation's Adam Thierer focus on the extent to which new video technologies, such as DVRs and VOD services, are changing the way households consume media and are helping parents better tailor viewing experiences to their tastes and values.Publication Type: Expert Study
6/20/2007
"Parental Controls and Online Child Protection: A Survey of Tools and Methods"Abstract: A new book from the Progress & Freedom Foundation's Adam Thierer provides a broad survey of resources on the market today that can help parents better manage media content, including such sources as broadcast television, cable or satellite TV, music devices, mobile phones, video game consoles, the Internet, or social networking websites.Publication Type: Expert Study
5/16/2007
"Television Violence and Aggression: Setting the Record Straight"Abstract: The Media Institute released a paper by Dr. Jonathan Freedman, professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. Dr. Freedman warns that the growing movement to limit television violence because of its supposed effect on children’s behavior cannot be justified by the body of existing research, which is actually "inconsistent, weak, and general...Publication Type: Expert Study
4/14/2006
"Parents Have Many Tools to Combat Objectionable Media Content"
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Abstract: White paper written by Adam Thierer, documenting the tools and techniques used to monitor media exposure that are widely available to parents, negating the need for increased governmental regulation of content. Progress & Freedom Foundation’s Progress on Point Release 13.9.Attachment: PoP13.9.pdf (85 KB)Publication Type: Other Voices
12/1/2005
Constitutionality of Applying the FCC's Indecency Restriction to Cable TelevisionEmail this Document
Abstract: Congressional Research Service Report for Congress.Attachment: CRS_report_120105.pdf (72 KB)Publication Type: Government Report
The Industry Position
Efforts to Educate Parents
2/21/2006
TV GROUPS OUTLINE COMMITMENT TO EDUCATE PARENTS ON PARENTAL CONTROLSAbstract: The National Cable & Telecommunications Association and other television groups have strengthened their commitment to educating consumers about parental controls, as detailed in a recent letter to Members of Congress. The letter is attached.Attachment: Letter_to_Robert_Adeholt_02.16.06.pdf (197 KB)Publication Type: Media Release
1/19/2006
INDUSTRIES UNITE TO EDUCATE PARENTS THAT THEY HAVE THE TOOLS TO CONTROL TV PROGRAMMING IN THEIR HOMEAbstract: A broad cross-section of industries today announced an unprecedented coordinated effort to educate and inform American families about how they can monitor and supervise their children’s television consumption.Publication Type: Media Release
8/15/2005
NEW VIDEO CAN HELP PARENTS LEARN HOW TO USE CABLE'S PARENTAL CONTROLSAbstract: The cable industry's commitment to educate consumers about parental controls is taking a step forward with the distribution of a new 9-minute video that demonstrates how parents can use their remote control and existing set-top box to manage the programming that comes into their homes.Publication Type: Media Release
5/17/2005
NEW “TAKE CONTROL. IT'S EASY” PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS ALERT CONSUMERS TO PARENTAL CONTROLSAbstract: The cable's industry's $250 million campaign to educate consumers about parental controls kicks into high gear this week with the distribution to participating cable networks and cable systems of new Public Service Announcements (PSAs).Publication Type: Media Release
4/27/2005
U.S. CABLE INDUSTRY LAUNCHES “TAKE CONTROL. IT'S EASY” CAMPAIGN TO HELP PARENTS MANAGE THEIR FAMILY'S TV VIEWING Abstract: The nation's leading cable operators and cable networks today announced a new initiative to help families manage their home TV viewing and protect children from programming their parents may find inappropriate for them.Publication Type: Media Release
Media Literacy
6/26/2007
Media Literacy and Internet Safety Education: Key to Students’ Success in the 21st CenturyEmail this Document
Abstract: A new survey of states was released at the National Educational Computing Conference, The Changing Media Landscape: Ensuring Students’ Safety and Success in School & the Future Workplace. It was conducted by SETDA in cooperation with Cable in the Classroom to better understand the evolving challenges and opportunities offered by technology and to...Attachment: Media_Lit_Survey_Release_06.26.07.pdf (40 KB)Publication Type: Expert Study
11/1/2006
"Media Literacy: A Vital and Underserved Need in Schools"Email this Document
Abstract: Grunwald Associates conducted an online survey on behalf of Cable in the Classroom in March 2006 of a nationwide cross section of 1,045 U.S. full-time classroom teachers of core subject areas and library/media specialists in K-12 public schools. The report looks at the state of media literacy as seen by educators from all levels - elementary, mid...Attachment: CIC_Media_Literacy_Report_11.06.pdf (7 MB)Publication Type: Expert Study
Testimony
6/22/2007
McSlarrow on "Images Children See on the Screen"Email this Document
Abstract: NCTA President & CEO Kyle McSlarrow testified before the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.Attachment: McSlarrow_Testimony_06.22.07.pdf (66 KB)Publication Type: Testimony
Statements and Releases
7/25/2006
MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES UNITE IN UNPRECEDENTED EFFORT TO HELP PARENTS MONITOR KIDS’ TVAbstract: The Advertising Council and a broad cross-section of the media and entertainment industries announced the launch of Media Management, a national multi-media PSA campaign calling on parents to take a more active role in their children’s television viewing habits.Publication Type: Media Release
4/14/2006
STATEMENT OF KYLE MCSLARROW, PRESIDENT & CEO, NCTA, REGARDING THE RECENT REPORT OF ADAM THIERER, PROGRESS & FREEDOM FOUNDATION, “PARENTS HAVE MANY TOOLS TO COMBAT OBJECTIONABLE MEDIA CONTENT”Abstract: NCTA comments on a white paper written by Adam Thierer, documenting the tools and techniques used to monitor media exposure that are widely available to parents.Publication Type: Statement
Miscellaneous Opinions
5/14/2007
"The Right Way to Regulate Violent TV"Email this Document
Abstract: Paper written by Adam Thierer which explains that technological controls, household media rules and other private sector efforts offer parents more control over their child's exposure to objectionable content than government regulations that could violate First Amendment rights.. Progress & Freedom Foundation’s Progress On Point Release 14.10.Attachment: pop14.10.pdf (280 KB)Publication Type: Other Voices
Regulatory Filings
5/18/2009
Joint NAB NCTA MPAA Reply Comments 05/18/09Email this Document
Abstract: Joint NAB NCTA MPAA Reply Comments re: Implementation of the Child Safe Viewing Act: Examination of Parental Control Technologies for Video or Audio Programming; MB Docket No. 09-26Attachment: 051809 09-26 Joint NAB NCTA MPAA Reply.pdf (82 KB)Publication Type: Regulatory Filing
4/16/2009
NCTA Supplemental Comments 04/16/09Email this Document
Abstract: NCTA Supplemental Comments re: Implementation of the Child Safe Viewing Act: Examination of Parental Control Technologies for Video or Audio Programming, discussing the cable industry's continuing efforts to offer new and improved tools to parents that build upon the existing ratings system; MB Docket No. 09-26Attachment: 041609 09-26 NCTA Supp Comm.pdf (62 KB)Publication Type: Regulatory Filing
4/16/2009
NCTA-NAB-MPAA Joint Comments 04/16/09Email this Document
Abstract: NCTA-NAB-MPAA Joint Comments, re: Implementation of the Child Safe Viewing Act: Examination of Parental Control Technologies for Video or Audio Programming, reporting on the current state of parental awareness and use of the TV Parental Guidelines; MB Docket No. 09-26Attachment: 041609 09-26 Final Joint Comments w exhibits.pdf (316 KB)Publication Type: Regulatory Filing