School is out for summer vacation and that generally means more
TV, radio, Internet and telephone use by kids with extra time on
their hands.
EDITOR:
School is out for summer vacation and that generally means more TV, radio, Internet and telephone use by kids with extra time on their hands. To help kids fill their time more productively, the Federal Communications Commission has created a “Parents’ Place” on the FCC Web site that will help parents and other caregivers guide children in their use of telecommunications media. The Web address is www.fcc.gov/parents.
This is a great tool for parents to use with their children’s summer activities and to supervise their time. Many parents have concerns about the way their children spend their free time as well as the things they see and hear, and we hope to help them address these concerns while providing productive use of telecommunications.’’
In this easy-to-use site, parents can read about broadcast, cable, Internet, and telephone issues that affect their families, including telephone bills for 900 numbers, questionable language on radio, and violence on television. Colorful icons highlight access to particular areas, such as Children’s TV Rules, Obscenity/Indecency, the Amber Alert, and TV Channel Blocking, among others.
While radio, TV, telephone, and the Internet offer great opportunities for learning and entertainment, parents want to be sure that what the kids access is right for them. We’ve created this new portal to help parents explore the enormous amount of material available to them on the FCC Web site.
Those who do not have Internet access can access the Web site (www.fcc.gov/parents) at their local library, or they can contact the FCC for further information at 1-888-CALL-FCC.
We’ll be happy to send them a print version of the material on the Web. We want all parents to be able to use our rules and information to better guide their children’s free time.
K. Dane Snowden, chief
FCC Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau,
Washington, D.C.
