Posted on 04/27/2006 1:32:56 PM PDT by Paul678
Briefing: Parents have tools for TV control By Ellen Thomson St. Paul Pioneer Press April 26, 2006 TV Turn Off Week ends Sunday, but it's never too late to take steps to limit the kinds of programs your family watches and the amount of time spent in front of TV screens. Parents can begin by taking three simple steps, according to TV Watch, a national coalition of individuals and organizations concerned with educating parents about available control tools and increased government control of programming. First, learn the meanings of TV ratings, which may be shown at the beginning or during programs; in programming guides that come with your television, cable or satellite service; in newspaper listings and TV Guide; or on the Web sites of broadcast and cable networks. Next, decide which shows you will allow to be seen in your home. Finally, use the tools available to automatically block programs based on the TV ratings. Parents today have several options, including the V-chip, ratings, cable and satellite blocking systems. Setting blocking tools for your television is simple and requires just a few clicks of the remote control. For an online tutorial, visit the Web site www.television watch.org and click on the link "help for parents." A free TV ratings remote control sticker and links to related information are also available at the site. http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/living/14425163.htm
A simpler solution:
step 1) Disconnect TV
step 2) Place TV in trash (or take it to the shooting range)
It's amazing how much extra free time you have when you don't own a TV.
Great answer. We don't pay for cable here. Frankly because we spend most of our free time on FR. It removes a lot of temptations from the kiddos as an added benefit. Not to mention the money saved each month. My kids actually enjoy playing with their toys and rarely ask to watch TV. Oh, they have some videos they like but they aren't tied to the one eyed monster.
Yeah, it's called a slap on the ass.
Neither my wife nor I watch TV. My kids did not inherit that gene.
Disconnecting the TV or placing it in the trash is certainly an option. No question about that.
Consider, however, the bad precedent that the FCC is setting by regulating TV content. A future bunch of FCC commissioners, appointed by a liberal president, could use the current fine decisions as a binding precedent to enforce their view of political correctness on the rest of us. Imagine talk radio without Rush, Sean, or all the other great conservative hosts out there. All because the current FCC believes that government intervention in the TV's free market is justified.
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