New technologies are changing the landscape of our communications arena almost daily. With an increasing number and variety of communications entering our homes each day, it can be hard for parents and caregivers to monitor, or even track, what children are watching and hearing. While technology has great potential to teach the nation's children, it also has the power to shape their lives and opinions.

The FCC has an array of information to help parents deal with, decipher, and monitor the communications that their children can access.

Children's TV Rules Did you know there’s a law requiring broadcast television stations to serve the educational and informational needs of children through their overall programming, and programming specifically designed to serve those needs? TV Programming Look up children’s commercial, non-commercial and educational cable programming. TV Ratings Did you know that the television industry has voluntary ratings for TV programs? TV Channel Blocking Do you know all the methods you can use to block television programming that you don’t want your children to watch: V-Chip, the Cable "Lockbox", and Set-top boxes. Limiting TV Commercials Did you know that during children’s programming, both broadcasters and cable operators must abide by advertising time limits and restrictions which prohibit "program-length commercials" and "host selling" in order to protect children.

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 Telephone - 900 Numbers The FCC regulates United States telephone companies that are involved in transmitting and billing interstate pay-per-call ("900 numbers") and other information services. 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. Emergency - Amber Plan Have you heard of the Amber Plan? It’s a part of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), and has been credited with aiding in the rescue of missing children who were abducted. Media & Childhood Obesity Children today spend many hours each day watching television and are influenced by the programming and advertising they see. Members of the Commission are taking part in the Task Force on Media and Childhood Obesity, which has assembled representatives from the media, advertising, food, and beverage industries, along with consumer advocacy groups and health experts.