Well, I don’t know what your kids watch, but you could use the “Lock All” in the TV ratings section of Verizon's parental controls. Locking ALL of the ratings categories should take care of the homework distractions. Also be sure to visit the block adult content menu, if you have children you may have already done this, remember to answer “Yes” to any prompts asking if you wish to block unrated programs.
Be sure to test this, if there are any gaps, the kids will find them! They may just get a Batman DVD off the shelf too for example, locking the Verizon Set Top Box will only control the Verizon content. The TV itself may have a similar setting, you could check this too.
Another heads-up: a remarkable number of kids know the PIN number their parents always use, they’ve been watching you at the bank for years, it wouldn’t hurt to change things up a little on the TV’s parental controls PIN.
Won't this require the parent to enter the code every time the child wants to change the channel? And what about when the program changes?
THere are devices out there that can lock the TV altogether. No DVD's or cable.
Here is a link to a site that lists some:
http://familysafemedia.com/tv_time_management_tools_-_par.html
Yes, you are correct, the parent would have remarkable hands-on governance over their child’s TV viewing using my idea. Would this be good or annoying? Probably a different answer for each parent who tried it.
No cable TV system is generally designed for that. The previous post’s research indicating an over-reaching method that would put the parent (back?) in control over all the TV’s media from the VCR to the cable box sounds intriguing, has anyone used it successfully? Are there others like it?
Another easy thing to try is to NEVER have the TV or computer in the child’s private bedroom, placing these devices in public areas of the home allows the child to self-police themselves and encourages good media-use decision making.
I just converted from DirecTV to FIOS TV this weekend. DirecTV had a feature that set time limits on when TV was able to be viewed. This allowed me to set it up so that the kids could watch from 5pm - 7pm, after their homework was done. As I'm at work when the kids come home from school I can still limit their TV watching without being there. This seems to be a standard feature as Comcast had it as well. Can this be considered for a future release?
Thanks,
Mike
A single unlock code to watch TV is needed. Having to enter for every channel, and everytime you change channels is terrible. When someone turns on the TV they should be prompted to enter a code that will allow the TV to be watched as long as its on.
Time limits per user code should be so doable. Verizon call me and I will manage the project for you.
