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Content Filtering

General Information

  1. What are Content Filters?

    By using Parental Controls, account owners can safely allow their children to access content available through their Verizon Wireless handsets, including content accessible through Mobile Web 2.0, short code-based messaging campaigns, V CASTSM Music and V CAST Video, with confidence that the content will be age-appropriate. This service is provided to account owners at no additional charge and allows account owners to establish an access setting for each line on their account. There are four age-appropriate filtering settings available to customize the type of content each line can access.

    Learn more about Internet, TV and Wireless parental controls.

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  2. How do I keep unwanted content from being delivered to devices on my account?

    Verizon Wireless offers you the ability to filter out unwanted content using Parental Controls.

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  3. What are the Content Filtering settings?

    Verizon Wireless understands that you may desire to limit access to certain content because of the particular ages of your children or your personal desire to avoid certain content. Only Verizon Wireless offers age-appropriate content filters, which are free of charge and easy to change as your child matures:

    • C 7+: content recommended for children aged 7 and older.
    • T 13+: content recommended for teens aged 13 and older.
    • YA 17+: content recommended for young adults aged 17 and older.
    • No Filter: content recommended for adults aged 18 and over.

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  4. Who can use the Content Filters service?

    • Nationwide Plan and America's Choice subscribers (not prepaid): Sign in to My Verizon to establish your settings.
    • Business accounts: Call your Sales Support Team.

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  5. What kind of content can I filter through the Content Filters service?

    Currently, the following content can be filtered:

    • "Explicit" labeled music on V CAST Music.
    • Content on V CAST Video.
    • Websites accessible via mobile device.
    • Short code-based messaging campaigns (4 to 6 digit phone numbers that subscribers use to obtain content or participate in various programs. Standard messaging rates apply to short codes. Premium charges may apply for certain short codes).
    • Content on Media Center / Get It Now®.
    • Content on V CAST Apps.
    • "Explicit" labeled music found on V CAST Song ID.
    Content from other sources is not consistently filtered by the service at this time. The service does not filter calls or messages sent by customers to other customers (this includes any content created by customers and sent directly by them to other customers) or content previously available on devices before the service was enabled.

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  6. What are messaging “Short Codes”?

    Messaging short codes are special short phone numbers, usually 4 to 6 digits, that subscribers can send text messages to in order to get content or participate in various programs. Standard messaging rates apply to short codes. Premium charges may apply for certain short codes.

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  7. Can I use the Parental Controls service if I’m a Small Business owner or do not have children?

    Yes, as the primary account owner, you can turn on Parental Controls for each line on your account by calling Customer Care.

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  8. How do I turn on the Content Filtering service?

    Primary account owners with Nationwide plans (not prepaid) can turn on the Parental Controls service for each line on their account by following these easy steps:

    1. Make sure you are signed in to My Verizon, and go to the Parental Controls page. 
    2. Click the Content Filters tab. You will see the mobile numbers in your account.
    3. Click the Edit Filters button.
    4. Select the Content Filters setting for each line.
    5. Read and Accept the Terms & Conditions, and click Submit.


    Business accounts:     Call your Sales Support Team.

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  9. How frequently can I change the Content Filter setting?

    Changes to the Content Filtering setting(s) can be made at any time and as often as you like. The changes may take up to 30 minutes from clicking Submit to become effective.

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  10. How much does the Content Filtering service cost?

    Content Filtering is a service provided at no additional charge by Verizon Wireless.

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  11. Does the Content Filtering service work on any device?

    Content Filtering works on most mobile devices, PDAs and PC cards. However, it will not work on any device with a static IP address or on search results provided through the Get It Now® search capability.

    Additionally, the music filtering capabilities of the service do not work on devices with V CASTSM Music v01.0 or v01.01 software. You can check if your device is using the v01.0 or v01.01 software by launching V CAST Music on your device, selecting Help and scrolling to the bottom of the screen to find the About V CAST Music version number. Also, the Internet filtering capabilities of the service will not work with devices utilizing Wi-Fi®, Mobile Web 1.0, or on devices that use the Venturi data compression software, including devices tethered to PCs or PC cards, unless the compression software is turned off or on BlackBerry® devices. Additionally, Content Filtering may not work outside the National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area.

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  12. How effective is the Content Filtering service at filtering out unwanted material?

    No content filtering tool is 100% effective. The service may not block access to all unwanted or undesirable content. The service is not a substitute for parental supervision. Parents are ultimately responsible for their children's safety, and to talk to their children about safe use of communications technology.

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  13. What if I want to block access to all content services accessible from my child’s device?

    We offer parents the ability to place a complete block on access to content services available via their child's device. To set up a block on Text and Picture / Video Messaging, please contact Customer Care. For other blocks, please follow the steps below:

    1. Make sure you are signed in to My Verizon and go to the Parental Controls page.  
    2. Click the Content Filters tab. You will see the mobile numbers in your account.
    3. Click Usage Controls.
    4. Click Block Services.
    5. Click Add/Remove Block Services.

    Please see additional information on various types of blocks available.

    Business accounts: Call your Sales Support Team.

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  14. Do Content Filters work with the Android™ Market?

    Devices with Content Filters set at C7 or T13 cannot access the Android Market at all. Devices with Content Filters set at YA17 or without any filter can access the Android Market and are allowed to purchase any application.

    Android is a trademark of Google, Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions.

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  15. How do I purchase apps from within the Android™ Market if Content Filters are on?

    If you would like to purchase apps from the Android Market using a device with Content Filters, you will need to:

    1. Change the content filter setting to YA17 or to No Filter.
    2. You can then sign into the Android Market with a Google account and purchase the desired apps.
    3. Once the desired apps have been installed, you can reset the content filter setting to C7 or T13, as appropriate for your child, to prevent them from accessing the Android Market.

    Android is a trademark of Google, Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions.

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