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Images of parents and children using phones, TVs, and computers.

New technologies are changing the landscape of our communications arena almost daily. With an increasing number and variety of communications entering our homes each day, it can be hard for parents and caregivers to monitor, or even track, what children are watching and hearing. While technology has great potential to teach the nation's children, it also has the power to shape their lives and opinions.

The FCC has an array of information to help parents deal with, decipher, and monitor the communications that their children can access.



FCC Information for Parents

Children's TV Rules
photo of US Capitol Building Did you know there’s a law requiring broadcast television stations to serve the educational and informational needs of children through their overall programming, and programming specifically designed to serve those needs?

TV Programming
multi-colored map of United States - Click on the map to find children's programming in your area Look up children’s commercial, non-commercial and educational cable programming.

TV Ratings
montage of TV Ratings symbols Did you know that the television industry has voluntary ratings for TV programs?

TV Channel Blocking
photo of television remote control Do you know all the methods you can use to block television programming that you don’t want your children to watch: V-Chip, the Cable "Lockbox", and Set-top boxes.

Limiting TV Commercials
photo of television set with 80 - 20 percent pie chart Did you know that during children’s programming, both broadcasters and cable operators must abide by advertising time limits and restrictions which prohibit "program-length commercials" and "host selling" in order to protect children.
 Obscenity/Profanity/Indecency
international NO symbol over top of the words Obscenity, Profanity, Indecency Read up on this important issue and learn how you can complain about entities that broadcast obscene, profane and/or indecent materials.

Telephone - 900 Numbers
photo of 2 young girls laughing, one talking on phone The FCC regulates United States telephone companies that are involved in transmitting and billing interstate pay-per-call ("900 numbers") and other information services.

Internet - Children's Access
photo of young boy with his hand on a computer mouse beside computer keyboard There is a federal law, the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which controls access in schools and libraries to the Internet and other information.

Emergency - Amber Plan
Amber Alert document cover illustrated with images of radio tower and the words Americas Missing Broadcast Emergency Response Have you heard of the Amber Plan? It’s a part of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), and has been credited with aiding in the rescue of missing children who were abducted.

Cable in the Classroom
Cable in the Classroom image not yet available Whether you're an educator or parent/caregiver, you are involved in educating. There are some excellent resources to aid teachers and parents/caregivers. Video and online information can be enormous help in teaching K-12 learners.


last reviewed/updated on 9/9/04 


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