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Using Parental Controls

Last Updated: Mon, 23 May 2011 > Related Articles

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Summary

Parental Controls allow you to block programs by channel, rating, or time of day.

Solution

Enable the PIN

Before any block can be set, a PIN must be enabled to prevent unauthorized changes. To set the PIN, use these steps:

  1. Press the SETTINGS button on the Cox remote control, then press the "A" button to access the General Settings Menu.
  2. Press the up or down arrow on the remote to highlight the Block: PIN option.
  3. Press SELECT button on the Cox remote control.
  4. Press the up or down arrow to highlight Enable and press the SELECT button.
  5. Enter a 4-digit PIN number to enable Parental Controls. Make sure to write down the 4-digit PIN in a safe place so you can remember what it is.
  6. Re-enter the 4-digit PIN to confirm that it was entered correctly.

After setting the 4-digit PIN, the current status of the Block:PIN will change from Disabled to Enabled. 

If you forget your PIN number, the account holder must contact us to reset it.

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Options for Blocking Programming

Next, you will need to set the criteria for the various types of blocks.

Block by Rating

To block shows based on the TV rating, use these steps:

  1. Press the SETTINGS button on the Cox remote control, then press the "A" button to access the General Settings Menu.
  2. Press the down arrow on the remote and highlight the Block: Rating option.
  3. Press SELECT button on the Cox remote control.
  4. Enter your 4-digit PIN.
  5. Press the up or down arrow to highlight a RATING to block.
  6. Press SELECT. A padlock icon next to a rating indicates that the rating will be blocked.
  7. Once you have selected all the ratings you want to block, press the A button to accept the settings.
  8. Press EXIT to return to watching TV.

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Block by Channel

To block specific channels, use these steps:

  1. Press the SETTINGS button on the Cox remote control, then press the "A" button to access the General Settings Menu.
  2. Press the up or down arrow on the remote to highlight the Block: Channels option.
  3. Press SELECT button on the Cox remote control.
  4. Enter your 4-digit PIN.
  5. Press the up or down arrow to highlight a channel to block.
  6. Press SELECT button on the Cox remote control. A padlock icon next to a rating indicates that the channel will be blocked.
  7. Once you have selected all the channels you want to block, press the A button on the Cox remote control to accept the settings.
  8. Press EXIT to return to watching TV.

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Block by Time Period

To block periods of time, use these steps:

  1. Press the SETTINGS button on the Cox remote control, then press the "A" button to access the General Settings Menu.
  2. Press the up or down arrow on the remote to highlight the Block: New Time option.
  3. Press SELECT button on the Cox remote control.
  4. Enter your 4-digit PIN.
  5. Press the right arrow and up/down arrows to select a period of time to block with the DAY, START, and STOP settings.
  6. Press SELECT button on the Cox remote control.
  7. To activate the blocked time period, press the A button on the Cox remote control to accept the settings.
  8. Press EXIT to return to watching TV.

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How to Turn Off Parental Controls

  1. Tune to a blocked channel. The Parental Control: ON screen displays.
  2. Press SELECT button on the Cox remote control.
  3. Enter your 4-digit PIN. All blocked programs can now be viewed.

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How to Turn Parental Controls Back On

  1. Turn the cable box off and back on. This resets the box to its previous state.
  • Or
  1. Press the SETTINGS button on the Cox remote control.
  2. Highlight the Turn ON Parental Control option, and press the SELECT button on the Cox remote control.
  3.  Enter your 4-digit PIN. 
  4. Blocked programs can no longer be viewed.

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Understanding TV Ratings

IconRatingDescription
All ChildrenThis 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 to 6.
Directed to Older ChildrenThis 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 violence or comedic violence, or may frighten children under the age of 7.
Directed to Older Children-Fantasy ViolenceThis rating applies to those programs where fantasy violence may be more intense or more combative than other programs in this category.
General AudienceThis rating applies to those programs where fantasy violence may be more intense or more combative than other programs in this category.
Parental Guidance SuggestedThis 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 CautionedThis program contains some material that many 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 OnlyThis 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).

 


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