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FCC Parents

The FCC Parents website is a source made available for parents who are looking to monitor what their children are hearing and seeing. This website offers information for parents and ways that they can further monitor the media their child takes in when watching television, using the internet, or even using the phone.

One page of the site outlines the Children's Television Rules which say that there must be a core educational or informational weekly program for children. It must air between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and must be at least 30 minutes in length. Also, during certain hours, nothing indecent or profane can be aired. The site also allows parents to search for stations in the area that air children's programming. Information is given regarding TV ratings and the V-chip (which allows parents to block programming they don't find suitable for their children. The V-chip electronically reads ratings and parents can program it to block all shows with certain ratings. There are commercial limitations placed on children's programming. Commercials are not to exceed 10.5 minutes on the weekends and 12 minutes during weekdays. The FCC has made links between commercial advertisement and childhood obesity; therefore, commercials during children's programming may not be inappropriate or excessive. The Children's Internet Protection Act was passed in 2000 that puts restrictions on school libraries' internet. The site also says to talk to children about phone usage, telling them not to call 900 numbers.

Parents concerned with their children's intake of media who wish to monitor and track what they see and hear will find this site very informative and helpful.