NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
October 23, 2009 Janice Wise (202) 418-8165 
FCC RELEASES NOTICE OF INQUIRY ON SERVING AND PROTECTING 
CHILDREN AND EMPOWERING PARENTS IN AN EVOLVING MEDIA 
LANDSCAPE 
Washington, D.C.:  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today released a 
Notice of Inquiry (NOI) asking how children can be served and protected and parents can be 
further empowered in the new digital media landscape. The NOI comes almost 20 years after 
enactment of the Children’s Television Act and follows the Commission’s recently issued Child 
Safe Viewing Act Report, which examined parental control technologies for video and audio 
programming.
Children live in a dramatically different media environment from the one their parents 
and grandparents grew up in decades ago.  From television to mobile devices to the Internet, 
electronic media today offer an array of opportunities to, among other things, access educational 
content, communicate with family and peers, and acquire the skills and technological literacy 
necessary to compete in a global economy.  However, digital media can also pose risks of harm 
to children, including exposing them to exploitative advertising, inappropriate content, and 
cyberbullying, as well as potentially contributing to childhood obesity and other negative health 
impacts.  The NOI asks to what extent children are using electronic media today, the benefits and 
risks this presents, and the ways in which parents, teachers, and children can help reap the 
benefits while minimizing the risks of using these technologies.
The NOI also recognizes that a wealth of academic research and studies exists on these 
issues and asks commenters to identify additional data and studies, and to indicate where further 
study is needed.  The NOI additionally seeks comment about the effectiveness of media literacy 
efforts in enabling children to enjoy the benefits of media while minimizing the potential harms.  
The NOI recognizes that other federal agencies are addressing similar issues, at least with respect 
to online safety, and asks what the Commission can do to assist with these efforts.  The deadline 
for filing comments is 60 days after publication in the federal register and the deadline for filing 
reply comments is 90 days after publication in the federal register.
Action by the Commission October 23, 2009, by Notice of Inquiry (FCC 09-94). 
Chairman Genachowski, Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn and Baker issuing separate 
statements.  MB Docket No. 09-194.
For additional information, contact David Konczal (202) 418-2228 or 
David.Konczal@fcc.gov; Kim Matthews (202) 418-2154 or Kim.Matthews@fcc.gov; or Holly 
Saurer (202) 418-7283 or Holly.Saurer@fcc.gov.  Press inquiries should be addressed to Janice 
Wise (202) 418-8165 or Janice.Wise@fcc.gov.
-FCC-