You know the phrase, you can run but you can’t hide? That’s media today. It’s inescapable. Your senses work overtime as they continually take in images, videos, music and games via the Internet, television, and on our cell phones. This onslaught can undoubtedly overwhelm even the savviest of parents.
Okay now exhale. Worrying about this mass influx on your media-wise but impressionable kids isn’t going to get you anywhere. Instead, concentrate on what is in your corner: ratings. The various media industries haven’t left you out in the cold to fend for yourselves. Clearly defined ratings are laid out for each of the major media. Your job: study up and then take your newly acquired knowledge directly to your kids. They are your audience. The script? Undefined. You are the master—the director, if you will. In other words, you are in charge of what, when and how to tell them.
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Act I: Movie Ratings Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA):
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Act II: Television Ratings: (All explained in detail here):
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Act III: Game Ratings Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB):
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Act IV: Cell Phone Content “Ratings”
Mobile media is hitting a new stratosphere of hipness thanks to our fast-paced culture and teens are at the crux of it all. Enter a glut of content targeted at this very audience. The problem is differentiating between what you want your kids to see and interact with and what you’d rather they not.
The solution depends on your wireless phone provider. Here’s the nitty-gritty on Verizon:
Verizon Wireless’ Content Filtering
Cost: FREE!
Verizon Wireless offers age-appropriate content filters, which are easy to change as your child matures, and always free of charge:
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Material contains little or no violence, no strong language, little or no sexual dialogue and situations and no themes of a mature nature. |
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Material may contain mild coarse language, moderate violence, some sexuality or suggestive dialogue or themes that may not be appropriate for younger children. |
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This content may contain one or more of the following: crude language, graphic violence, sexual situations, criminal activity, drug abuse, sexual situations without nudity or themes that may not be appropriate for younger youth. Many parents would consider this material unsuitable for children under 17 and parents are strongly cautioned against allowing children under 17 to access or view this content. |
| No Filter | Content filters can be applied to almost any wireless device with the exception of the Blackberry devices. Plus, as the account holder, you’re firmly in charge of making changes online at your convenience. |
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Verizon Wireless also offers the option of Usage Controls, which allow you to control your child’s cell phone usage. The following are included in the Usage Control Suite:
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Usage Allowances enable you to set limits of how many voice minutes and messages can be used during a billing cycle. |
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Time Restrictions limit and control your child’s use of his or her cell phone during a certain time of day or day of week. |
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Blocked Numbers are phone numbers that are restricted from calling or messaging your child at any time. Your child will also not be able to call or message those numbers at any time. |
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Trusted Numbers are phone numbers that are available for calling and messaging regardless of Usage Allowances or Time Restrictions. |
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And…that’s a wrap!
