v-chip
...and compares it to values preset by the parents. It sends a signal to your television, giving it instructions to block shows whose ratings exceed these values. For example, if the rating codes were higher for a particular show than the viewer thought was acceptable for their child to watch, the chip would block the show. The screen would display a message telling the viewer that the show could not be seen. If someone tries to break the device or disconnect it, the television screen may show the words, "TAMPER". There are also a few costs associated with the V-chip that are being passed to consumers. Each chip costs about six dollars wholesale and must be designed into the television's logic before it can be sold to the public. The V-chip easily pushes the prices of televisions up by about twenty five or more dollars. Another cost has been levied to television stations for the upgrade of the transmitting equipment. The V-chip regulation also requires another staff employee at most stations to effectively rate locally aired programs and events. Is it really politically correct that we should have to pay for a technology that we may not even care to use? There is always a big debate when it comes to censorship in the media. Whether it is exposing a breast during the Superbowl or showing teenagers engaging in lewd activities, controversy is almost always eminent when it comes to what we allow our children to see in the media. I strongly remember my own introduction to the V-chip when I was about 17 in 2001, being that I have always been a strong advocate against censorship. Once my best friends’ parents purchased a set that included a V-chip, they were able to program the set to not include certain adult ratings that were placed on many of the programs that she and I regularly watched. I was appalled that what came into their own living room was actually being regulated by one person’s idea of what was or was not appropriate. I wondered where it would stop. Would we soon have ways to block out radio stations that one person decided was inappropriate? I couldn’t help but be reminded of a little book called Fahrenheit 451 that I read in high school. Burning books was looked at as a horrible infringement on the rights of the people. I wondered how they could do the same thing to television and make it seem acceptable. Once again, material deemed inappropriate by one person was being deemed inappropriate to all. Personally, I would not choose to block out or censor programs that my children might watch. Growing up in a very liberal household, I believe that it is your job to teach your children right from wrong. At one point or another, they will experience things that you would rather they didn’t. It is better to talk to your kids about these issues and make sure they understand them so they will know how to handle the situation appropriately. This would be my preferred parenting method as opposed to just sheltering them until they finally get out on their own and either experience culture shock or break out of their shell all at once and go wild. I have seen this happen to a few of my own friends, including the best friend that I mentioned earlier. I really don’t believe that complete isolation from the world is a healthy thing. The question we must ask is where does it end? When is it enough? Is it really fair that we should have to pay higher television set prices for a service we may not even want to use? We see examples of the same th...