FCC regulations on children's programming

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States of America, established by the Communications Act of 1934, is in place in order to regulate interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. Children's programming has not been exempt from FCC regulation and has been subject to multiple rules and regulations, particularly over the last few decades. The educational character and learning processes inherent in public service broadcasting have a central role in the development of knowledge and participation in citizenship that is vital for a mature democratic society.

The Children’s Television Act specifically regulated children’s television.

The term "safe harbor" refers to the hours during which broadcasters may transmit material deemed indecent for children. This "safe harbor", enforced by the Federal Communications Commission, extends—legally—from 10 PM to 6 AM and was established by the US Supreme Court case FCC v. Pacifica. This "safe harbor" is based on evidence that children 17 years of age and under are less likely to be in the audience during these hours. Sexual content and foul language are lawfully channeled to times of the day when children are less likely to be in the broadcast audience. Paradoxically according to some, viewing televised violence is perceived to have a more harmful effect on children than fleeting expletives or brief nudity. With respect to violent program content, the research suggests that younger children are most at risk, possibly requiring a different conclusion as to the ages of children to be protected, the appropriate "safe harbor" hours.

In 1990 Congress unanimously passed and enacted the Children's Television Act (CTA) in order to increase the amount of informational and educational programming available for children on television after increasingly bleak and commercialized children programming landscape. The act displeased many, including both the most loyal supporters of protecting legislation for children and broadcasters alike. Parents and children's advocacy groups disapprove of the way broadcasters are responding to the Act, and broadcasters are uncertain how to respond to the Act's demand that they serve "the educational and informational needs of children." The FCC has adopted the following rules in order to carry out this mandate. Television stations, under FCC rule, must:

Core programs are designed to serve the educational and informational needs of children (ages 16 and under). Core programming must be a regularly scheduled weekly program that is at least thirty minutes in length and aired between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. There is also the "Three-Hour Rule", which states that broadcasters have to air a minimum of 3 hour/week of educational television for children in order for the FCC to have their license renewed. (More information below under 1996 Mandate)

...
Wikipedia