U.S. Wireless Carriers to Restrict Adult Content

The FCC is urging wireless mobile phone operators to restrict adult content available to children on mobile phones, CTIA, the wireless industry’s biggest trade group has issued voluntary guidelines on Tuesday.

With almost every mobile operator offering internet and video services and according to a study by IDC, about 21 million children had wireless phones by the end of year 2004.

Under the new guidelines issued by CTIA, subscribers below 18 years of age will be required to furnish parental or a guardian’s permission for receiving content that may be sexually explicit, excessively violent, or involve gambling. Apart from this, mobile operators will also offer tools and filters so that parents can restrict Internet access on wireless devices used by children.

Speaking on this issue Steve Largent, CTIA president and CEO said, “Parents must ultimately decide what materials are most suitable for their children, and wireless carriers participating in this important measure are committed to providing parents with the necessary tools to do so.”

The top three US wireless service providers part of the CTIA initiative are; Cingular Wireless, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp.