A new partnership between Sky and Common Sense Media will see much more detailed parental information added to Sky Q content.
Sky has announced a new partnership with Common Sense Media that will see customers offered a much more highly detailed rating system that aims to help parents make better choices about the content their kids watch.
Set to arrive on Sky Q boxes from 2019, the service will provide a wealth of information about the prevalence of specific types of content shows contain, based around Common Sense Media’s huge library of independent age-based reviews.
As well as details about the levels of violence, sexual content, drug and alcohol use and adult language, the ratings system will offer information on whether content features positive role models and whether it contains positive messages, as well as the overall educational value of the content.
Each category will be rated on a scale of one to five, depending on how applicable it is to the show.
Group Chief Executive at Sky Jeremy Darroch said: “As a parent I know how reassuring it is that the Sky platform offers a safe, highly-regulated, family-friendly environment – but we know we can always do more. Our partnership with Common Sense will help give parents greater peace of mind, helping them make smarter viewing choices for their children.”
The move is part of Sky’s efforts to ensure children are safe when watching TV or spending time online. Other initiatives that are part of this include the introduction of the Sky Kids Safe Mode.
This will come to Sky Q boxes later this year and help parents hand-pick the content they want their children to watch, as well as password-protect any content they feel is unsuitable.
Sky also re-launched its Sky Kids app earlier this year with improved safety controls, while other parental control features on offer include Sky Broadband Shield and Sky’s continued investment in Internet Matters, an organisation that provides help and advice for parents navigating the online world.
James P Steyner, founder and Chief Executive of Common Sense, added: “Media profoundly affects our children’s social, emotional and physical well-being and now, more than ever, parents need trusted resources to help them find developmentally appropriate content. Our goal is to give Sky viewers trustworthy information, so they can decide what works for their child.”
