kid programming rules

Here in the US the new US Federal Communications Commission Chairman (FCC), Julius Genachowski, announced at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing that he has opened a new inquiry into kid programming rules, and how "the FCC can best protect children in a digital age," while also taking into account current concerns and new opportunities in today's world. The effort, triggered at least in part by the ever-growing platforms where kids can access content, will also review the current FCC rules guiding kid's programming, and may require broadcasters to air more kid-appropriate educational and informational programming than the three hours they are currently compelled to offer, while also looking to include rules for cable, satellite, mobile video content and the web as well as video games. The current rules, under the Children's Television Act, were mostly established in the 1990s (there has been some modification since then) and also contain rules concerning limits on advertising, including the amount of ads, during kid-aimed programming. The Senate hearing also included discussion of the ability of parents/caregivers to identify and locate kid-targeted educational programming.