ROKU TV Streaming:
What Parents Need To Know!!!

But, if you want certain channels, like NETFLIX or HULU+ or VUDU, then you have to pay, but you pay the channels, not Roku, through subscribing to the channel.  As I write this there are 700+ channels, with more arriving all the time.These channels fall into two categories: Public and Private.PUBLIC CHANNELS:   These are the ones in the ROKU Channel Store that anyone can access. You just need a Roku account.  Some are free, some are not. For example:  If you install the NETFLIX channel you will still need a NETFLIX account to access the content.  The Channel Store can be accessed HERE or on your TV.  Some Channels (and some games) do have a small “install” cost, often <$5.00.PRIVATE CHANNELS: These are channels that can be set up on your device but which are NOT listed in the Channel Store.  A channel may be “private” for one of several reasons:

• It is in a “test phase” and is not yet ready for public access.
• It contains inappropriate content that is for the Channel Store, such as adult-oriented channels.
• It contains private programming, such as when a corporate channel is used to offer training for employees, or for school courses.

Instead of choosing the channel in the Channel Store, a private channel is accessed via a special code that you input into your Roku set up or on the MANAGE ACCOUNT screen, online at www.roku.com

These codes are mostly found online although I would wager that kids share knowledge of them just like we shared Miss July.  They may be available on an adult web site (say, the code for a porn channel might be available on its corresponding web site), or they may be on any of the many lists of private channels that are available online.

The adult entertainment industry has latched onto Roku with a vengeance!  While most require subscriptions there are a number of adult channels that are completely free, just like online porn sites.

And this is where our kids can get into trouble: They find out about these channels and install them!  Parents would only know about their installation if you looked at all your installed channels via the Roku box, or if you monitored your account via the MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT section, online.

Or maybe not….

Example of “Discreet Icons” for adult channels

A number of the porn channels offer two separate codes:

• One code provides access to the channel and has an icon that denotes who and what the channel is, and
• The other code provides the same access to the channel, but this one is associated with a more discreet icon and descriptions, like “Spreadsheet Tutorials“.

So, what does a parent do to protect their kids?

1. When you first set up your Roku device you should install your first round of channels and then change the Roku settings to require a PIN Number for adding any more channels.  You can do this online by going to your  MY ACCOUNT section.  Remember, do NOT use easy PINs like 1234, 5555, 9876, etc..  Also, you wait until after the initial set-up so that you don’t have to keep inputting the PIN for every channel.
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2. If your Roku has already been in use for a while and it is possible that someone could have added an inappropriate channel, then you need to go through your Roku channel listing and test everything that is not a major channel (like NETFLIX or HULU+).  Look for “innocuous-sounding” channels, like the above-mentioned SPREADSHEET TUTORIALS.  And, don’t forget to set the PIN for adding new channels.  Also, make sure you check all of your accounts that you subscribe to for the availability of Parental Controls.  They are often access via the web site and not via the actual on-TV service. (ex: NETFLIX only provides access to great parental controls via the web.)
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3. If you find an inappropriate channel: DO NOT EXPLODE OR PANIC!  Your child may not have installed it.  The culprit could be an adult in the home or a neighbor kid.  Instead, identify the culprit and, if it is a child, take a few minutes/hours to calm down and plan out your discussion with them.The following Blog articles might help:
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   HELP! My Child Hit A Porn Site! What Do I Do NOW????
   “My 4 Year-Old Rented A Porn Movie!!!”
   Pornography: A Sin?
   Pornography: Spiritual Battleground
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4. Check your PURCHASE HISTORY online and investigate any channels you do not recognize or think that someone would really want…..like “SPREADSHEET TUTORIALS“.

GOOD NEWS:  If you have read my previous articles on OpenDNS and have implemented that as a filter, then it will be much more difficult for kids to access the web sites that give them the codes to add an adult private channel or which allow them to “subscribe” to the content.  That is not true in all cases, but, by-and-large, it is an effective means of preventing access to adult web site and Roku channels.  You can find PART 1 of my latest OpenDNS series right HERE.

Remember, tho’:  Set up a PIN for adding channels and DO NOT SHARE IT!

Keep in mind that some “good” channels offer more adult-oriented fare.  NETFLIX, for example, has movies that are rated R and NC-17, and TV shows rated TV-MA.  For this reason, make sure you check out the parental controls for each channel you subscribe to!

Roku is an awesome device. Because of all that it offers our family has trimmed our Cable TV selection to “local channels only” and primarily use streaming for “the good shows”.

But, as with cars, blenders, and other items around the house, parents need to keep the kids safe.  Fortunately, as we’ve seen, it is not that hard.

Keep checking this blog for upcoming posts about streaming TV services such as  HULU+, VUDU, and other services.

For more information about ROKU and its products just click HERE.

Check out these other popular posts:

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• Sex, SPOUSES, and the Internet – Part 1: SEXTING
• …Because What’s On The Internet Even Grosses Out the HOOKERS!!!
• Why “Making Out” Is Like A Beer Party!

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