With all the talk about the technology available for parental control, the experts all agree that parental control starts with the parent. We examine what the parent can do to keep their kids out of trouble.

There is a lot of talk going around about all the different ways that you can keep your kid from wandering into chat rooms, viewing adult sites, watching R rated TV programs and just about everything else that you want to keep your kid from. But studies show that the best parental control to keep your kids out of trouble is you.

This may not be very popular with parents who feel they dont have the time or shouldnt have to watch over their kids 24/7, but in the old days, thats how things were done. True, we didnt have the Internet, we didnt have cable TV with all its nudity and violence and we didnt have pornography just a click away, but kids were still kids and there were plenty of ways for them to get into trouble. And the principals that applied then apply now as well.

The experts in this area recommend the following simple things to keep your kids from getting into things that you just dont want them to get into. Again, these are experts views and not necessarily the views of this writer. Were only reporting what the professionals say.

For TV its still the same as it was years ago. For starters, kids dont get their own TV in their rooms. They want to watch something, they come into the living room or recreation room or wherever the TV is located and watch there with the rest of the family. Then, whatever it is your kid is watching, you as the parent make sure you monitor the program. If youre concerned with your kid turning on a pay station then simply dont have them in the house. We need to set examples for our kids. We cant do that if were spending our time watching sex and violence ourselves.

Also, make sure you have designated viewing times. Most adult oriented material is shown after prime time begins. You may want to cut off the time your child can watch TV at around 10 PM. Earlier if your child is very young.

As for the Internet, this becomes a bit more of a problem because sex and violence are there 24/7. In the case of the Internet though its really no different from the TV. No computer access in the childs room. The child uses the same computer as everyone else in the house, preferably in an open area where a parent can easily see what the child is viewing. Make your child aware of what is out there and tell him so he understands that hes to go nowhere near these sites. Explain to him that it is very easy to check if he has been to a racist or porn site and the punishment for doing so will be severe. Again, you need to set an example for your child. If youre going to know whether or not he has been to these sites, which you can easily check with your computers history, then you as the parent have to make sure that you are also nowhere near them.

Many may find the experts advice on this matter harsh and unreasonable, but they all unanimously agree that the problem with kids doing what theyre not supposed to do starts at home.

Its the way it always was and its the way it will always be.

About the Author:

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Parental Control

TYTV Comments: Here! Here! Yes, parents, YOU have the control. While governments and networks should exercise responsibility with regards to television programming, you parents are actually the ones ultimately in charge.

There seems to be something about TV that makes parents forget that. . . .

If you need help remembering how to get in control of the television set, try the TV-Free System or one of the devices at Family Safe Media.