The media landscape that affects children is changing rapidly. Electronic media has assumed an increasingly integral role in the lives of children and, as a result of a number of technological innovations, children today can access the same content sources from a variety of media platforms, many of which are portable. This increasingly complex media environment carries both risks and opportunities for the nation’s children, and can pose a challenge to parents and caretakers seeking to monitor what children are watching and hearing.

The FCC has an array of information to help parents monitor the communications that their children can access.

Children's TV Rules Broadcast television stations are required to serve the educational and informational needs of children. In addition, during children’s programming, broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite TV providers must abide by advertising time limits and other restrictions on commercials. TV Programming Look up children’s commercial and noncommercial educational programming. TV Ratings Did you know that the television industry has voluntary ratings for TV programs? TV Channel Blocking Methods you can use to block television programming that you don’t want your children to watch.

Obscenity/Profanity/Indecency Read up on this important issue. Click here for FCC's complaint form 475B to file a complaint about programming that you believe was obscene, indecent and/or profane Using the Telephone Responsibly Learn about protecting children from objectionable content on wireless devices, as well as 900 number blocking. Internet - Children's Access There is a federal law, the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which controls access in schools and libraries to the Internet and other information. In Case of Emergency Information on the Emergency Alert System, AMBER Alerts, and communicating during emergencies. Media & Childhood Obesity Read about childhood obesity and the impact of the media on this growing health concern.