You've talked to your kids about using digital media responsibly, but you'd like some extra reassurance that your kids will stay within safe territory. You’ve got parental controls on your side. You can decide what's best for your family based on your preferences and the ages of your children.
Parental Controls (or Family Settings) are customizable tools that give you the power to create family-friendly gaming and entertainment experiences. With a few clicks of a game controller, remote control or keyboard, you have the power to:
And you can protect your settings with your own pass code.
Activating those controls doesn't mean you don't trust your kids. These tools reinforce your rules and help provide healthy and balanced entertainment experiences, giving you peace of mind.
Here's a quick rundown of your options.
Video Game Consoles
The consoles on the market today allow you to restrict the video games they will accept and limit who can play or communicate with your kids during online games. You also may be able to block the console from playing certain movies.
The Xbox 360 Family Timer allows you to control the amount of time - either daily or weekly - children in the household may use the console. You can trust that Xbox 360 will enforce your restrictions, even when you can't be in the room to supervise.
For more on how to set up Family Settings on Xbox 360, check out this .
Online Games
When your kids play games online - whether through video game consoles or on computers - they may interact with people they've never met in person. Online games open the door to virtual communities, some with thousands of players from around the world.
Depending on the game, players may "chat" with one another by typing messages or by actually speaking to each other through headsets.
Players may also use Webcams - video cameras that allow users to see other gamers in real time.
Parental control features vary:
- Game consoles have tools that allow you to block certain online games or content.
- Some online games themselves will give parents the ability to restrict game time, visuals (blood, for example) and strong language.
- Your Internet service provider may have controls that let you limit which games your kids may play.
The consoles also let you create Friends Lists; with this option, your kids can only play online with people that you have pre-approved.
Internet Access
Typically, Internet service providers offer various parental controls. For instance, they may allow you to block, or "filter," certain Web sites or content, as well as set time limits and restrict access to:
- sending and receiving e-mail and instant messages
- participating in chat areas
- posting on message boards
- some online games.
For more on how to set up the parental controls for Windows 7 and Windows Vista, check out these . Click here for Windows 7 and here for Windows Vista.
Television & Cable Access
Chances are your TV has a V-Chip – technology that reads TV ratings and displays them in the upper left-hand corner of the screen during the first 15 seconds of a program. Using your TV remote control, you may block programs with certain ratings. If your older-model TV (before 2000) doesn't have a V-Chip, you may buy one at a local retailer or online.
If you have cable access, your provider most likely offers parental controls. You may be able to block:
- programs with certain ratings
- specific programs by title
- certain channels.
Mobile Phones
If your child has a mobile phone, depending on your service provider, you might be able to program restrictions on:
- video downloads
- use time
- incoming or outgoing phone numbers
- text messages.