How to use Parental Controls

CABLE SUPPORT

Parental Controls
In addition to delivering hundreds of channels, digital cable lets you manage those channels with sophisticated parental control capabilities. Although these capabilities vary by manufacturer and model, many digital boxes allow you to block entire channels or specific programs, based on several criteria.

Learn how you can use your cable set-top box to control the programs that come into your home.
Below is a step by step guide to make it EASY!

For those still with our DCT 1000 digital cable box click here for your instructions.

Defining the TV Ratings System
In 1996, the television industry created the TV Parental Guidelines – a voluntary rating system designed to give parents information about the content of television programs.
Click here to view the List of ratings.

Parental Controls Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Using your remote choose Menu. Using the arrows, move to Setup. Click OK.
Step 2: Choose Locks Setup Click OK.
Step 3: Enter a 4 digit Pin number Click OK then RE-ENTER your 4 digit Pin number Click OK
Step 4: Using the arrows scroll up and down or across to make your selections. That's it! Press menu to go back to the main menu. If you want to revise these anytime, just repeat the 4 steps.

Defining the TV Ratings System

Download a one page description of the TV Parental Guidelines in PDF for you to print out.

PDF Print Version

The television industry also created the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board, which handles questions and comments on the rating system.
This board can be e-mailed at tvomb@usa.net.

	All Children This program is designed to be appropriate for all children. Whether animated or live action, the themes and elements in this program are specifically designed for a very young audience, including children from ages 2-6. This program is not expected to frighten younger children.
	Directed to Older Children This program is designed for children age 7 and above. It may be more appropriate for children who have acquired the developmental skills needed to distinguish between make-believe and reality. Themes and elements in this program may include mild fantasy or comedic violence, or may frighten children under the age of 7. Therefore, parents may wish to consider the suitability of this program for their very young children.
	Directed to Older Children-Fantasy Violence For those programs where fantasy violence may be more intense or more combative than other programs in the TV-Y7 category, such programs will be designated TV-Y7-FV.
	General Audience Most parents would find this program appropriate for all ages. Although this rating does not signify a program designed specifically for children, most parents may let younger children watch this program unattended. It contains little or no violence, no strong language and little or no sexual dialogue or situations.
	Parental Guidance Suggested This program contains material that parents may find unsuitable for younger children. Many parents may want to watch it with their younger children. The theme itself may call for parental guidance and/or the program contains one or more of the following: moderate violence (V), some sexual situations (S), infrequent coarse language (L), or some suggestive dialogue (D).
	Parents Strongly Cautioned This program contains some material that parents would find unsuitable for children under 14 years of age. Parents are strongly urged to exercise greater care in monitoring this program and are cautioned against letting children under the age of 14 watch unattended. This program contains one or more of the following: intense violence (V), intense sexual situations (S), strong coarse language (L), or intensely suggestive dialogue (D).
	Mature Audience Only This program is specifically designed to be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 17. This program contains one or more of the following: graphic violence (V), explicit sexual activity (S), or crude indecent language (L).
	* Adults Only Starstream specifically has this option added for its Adult Pay Per View section. It is not included in the Government guidelines, but is available through our programming guide. This program is specifically designed to be viewed by adults only. This program contains explicit sexual activity.