[November 09, 2005] Cell Phones Adopt Ratings for Content Tweet (AP) Cell Phones Adopt Ratings for Content By BRUCE MEYERSON AP Business Writer NEW YORK Cell phone providers are adopting a ratings system for multimedia services to flag music, video and gaming products intended for adults. They will also provide tools to block access to that content. The ratings apply only to content authorized by the providers, so youths could still use their phones to access public Web sites that feature content and products involving sex, profanity and violence. The rating system, similar to those used by the movie, television, music and video game industries, was announced Tuesday by the industry group CTIA, which reiterated a pledge not to offer any restricted content until tools to block it is available. Still, that pledge has been seen as a sure sign that at least some wireless operators are mulling the potential riches that "restricted" services might generate. It was unclear from the CTIA's announcement how long it might take to develop the parental control technologies that would potentially usher in such services. Two commissioners at the Federal Communications Commission -- Jonathan S. Adelstein and Kathleen Q. Abernathy -- applauded the industry's bid at self-regulation. "This industry effort should really help families who rely on their cellphones but do not want their children inadvertently exposed to adult material," Adelstein said in a statement. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]