Parental Controls

Survey: 68% of Parents Find Video Game Ratings Effective

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 5, 2006 - 2:43pm.

Santa Monica, Calif. - A recent survey commissioned by video game publisher Activision found that 84% of parents are very familiar with the industry's game ratings system, and 68% believe the system is effective in helping them make game purchases for their children.

MySpace Publishes Internet Safety Tips Guides for Schools, Parents

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 25, 2006 - 1:32am.

Los Angeles - News Corp.'s MySpace online social network announced on Monday the launch of an Internet safety campaign, and the publication of its "Parents' and School Administrators' Guides to Internet Safety." The guides explain how MySpace works and offer tips, suggestions and information on safe Internet behavior.

Senators, Video Game Industry Unveil "Commitment to Parents" Initiative

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 21, 2006 - 2:21pm.

Washington - Major video game retailers and the industry's Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) announced on Wednesday an initiative called "Commitment to Parents," that will aim to educate consumers about game ratings and enhance enforcement of store policies on the sale of Mature-rated games.

MySpace Enhances Child Safety & Privacy; Faces $30 Million Lawsuit

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 21, 2006 - 2:18pm.

Los Angeles - Social networking site MySpace on Wednesday launched new safety and security features, in the wake of a $30 million lawsuit filed against the company by a 14-year-old girl who claims she was sexually assaulted by a 19-year-old she met on the site.

Disney Launches Family-oriented Mobile Phone Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 13, 2006 - 2:15pm.

North Hollywood, Calif. - The Walt Disney Company on Tuesday launched Disney Mobile, its family-oriented U.S. mobile phone service that piggybacks on Sprint's nationwide network.

TiVo, Parents Groups Team on Parental Controls, Programming Suggestions

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 2, 2006 - 9:08am.

Alviso, Calif. - TiVo on Thursday introduced a new feature that offers parents the ability to control the programming their children have access to, and also suggests family-friendly programming as designated by Common Sense Media and the Parents Television Council. TiVo KidZone allows parents to choose from shows recommended by these groups, add or remove specific programs or channels from children's access, and block access to any programming or channels not part of KidZone. "We are very grateful to TiVo for bringing forward KidZone. This is just what the TV marketplace needed," said Tim Winter, executive director of the Parents Television Council. "TiVo will now allow parents to enforce their own programming values, so for those parents who share the Parents Television Council's concerns, the features TiVo is introducing will help them exercise responsibility for their children's viewing habits and easily implement our system for screening shows for kids." The TiVo KidZone feature, slated to launch by mid-2006, will be included as part of the standard TiVo service fee. The service will not be available for subscribers who receive TiVo service from DirecTV.

Hollywood, Technology Firms Team to Educate on TV Parental Controls

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 19, 2006 - 3:33am.

Washington - A group that includes Hollywood movie studios, TV networks, consumer electronics firms and cable and satellite TV providers on Thursday announced an effort to educate parents on existing technologies that can be used to control what their children watch on TV. Led by former Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) head Jack Valenti, who testified about the effort before the Senate Commerce Committee, the group includes the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA); the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB); the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA); major television networks; the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA); satellite providers DirecTV and EchoStar; and the Ad Council. "Polls show that some 70 to 80 percent of parents believe there are programs on TV unsuitable for children," Valenti testified. "The same percentage also report they do not want government to step in and fix this problem. From these facts about the public's revealed opinion, we present a common sense plan that will convey to American parents that they have, right now, all the weaponry they need to control all the TV programming that enters their home." The group will spend between $250 and $300 million to produce and air ads on the V-chip, satellite and cable channel blocking, and TV ratings system. The campaign will also include educational and instructional materials distributed in electronics retail stores, and outreach to religious and parents' advocacy groups.