Cable Online Safety Pledge

Texas cable providers, through membership in the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, pledge to help parents, families, customers and consumers create a better, safer online media environment by:

• Offering parental controls or filters to help families manage online content and help customers block content that they may determine is unsuitable for their use.
• Offering various educational resources for parents, children, and other consumers.
• Participating in partnerships with school-based and community-based education groups to ensure that information on Internet safety and literacy is available to teachers, parents and caregivers.
• Cooperating with law enforcement officials to help them prevent, police and prosecute potential criminal activity online.

Prevent Cyberbullying

Cable in the Classroom partner Common Sense Media recently published a white paper designed to teach parents, educators, policymakers and others how to prevent cyberbulling. The report, “Cyberbullying – Damage in a Digital Age,” can be found here.

Cable Puts You in Control
Control Your TV is an industry initiative to educate cable consumers about the easy-to-use parental control tools that cable provides. In addition to parental control instructions, ControlYourTV.org also provides information about the TV ratings system and V-chip, plus tips for parents to use in developing a TV viewing schedule suitable for the entire family, as well as further information on media literacy.

The cable industry also launched Cable PointSmart.ClickSafe., an initiative to educate consumers and parents about online safety and the appropriate use of the Internet by children. PointSmart.ClickSafe. is designed to take a holistic approach to online safety, emphasizing three key components: Control, Education and Choice.

Back to School!
Texas Cable Companies Offer Tools, Tips To Protect Kids When Online or Watching TV
TCA works with Attorney General Abbott on online safety initiatives

As children go back to school, Texas cable operators are helping parents, educators and others take proactive steps to help shield children from viewing objectionable content while surfing the Internet or watching television. In addition, a new national report issued by a cable industry partner offers information on how to help protect children from the growing problem of cyberbullying.

The Texas Cable Association has partnered with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on his initiatives to combat the efforts of cyberpredators who use the Internet to target their child victims. One in seven children will be solicited for sex online in the next year, according to a study cited by the Texas Attorney General’s Office.

“Technology-savvy child predators are using the Internet to prey upon young children,” Attorney General Abbott said. “Parents, educators and students must arm themselves with the tools and information they need to thwart these dangerous Internet predators. This isn't merely a back-to-school reminder, but something all Texans must all remember every day of the year.”

Cable operators have invested more than $500 million dollars in public service announcements to educate consumers about cable’s parental controls, the V-chip and the TV ratings system. Technology built into set-top boxes that the majority of cable customers already have, plus an enhanced TV ratings system, enable parents to take charge of what their children watch on television. More information about available tools and resources can be found at www.controlyourtv.org, or from your cable operator.

Read full press release.

Texas Cable Operator Helps Equip Kids to Return to School
Donation drive showcases cable contributions during TCA’s 50th anniversary

Recognizing that students can’t learn if they aren’t properly equipped, Time Warner Cable is hosting school supply drives in its service areas in August to make sure Texas kids in need have the tools necessary to develop critical math and science skills during the upcoming school year.

Supplies are being collected at a number of locations in Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. For more specifics on “Collect 2 Connect,” including drop off locations, click here.

The “Collect 2 Connect” event – by Time Warner Cable as part of its Connect a Million Minds initiative – is just one example of cable’s innovation and commitment to cutting edge technology the Texas Cable Association is highlighting during its 50th anniversary year.

Read full press release.