Take for instance the above mentioned show Beverly Hills 90210 . From its inception the show has presented children whose lives spin out of control with no parents to be found to help them deal with their numerous crises. The teens on this show are running around in velcro undies. But aside from Donna Martin, the show's token virgin, not one of these teens has a parent who demonstrates concern. Val has slept with every male character on the show and attributes this to her father's suicide.
Parental absence is definitely as problematic in reality as it is on television.
And if parents spent time with children, it would be a more effective prevention device in the war against teen promiscuity, than a little box in a television. Also, these little devices do not operate themselves. In order for these devices to actually prevent certain programs from displaying, the parent must take the time to read the television guide, spend some time researching which shows have sexual content, then learn how to operate the device itself Parents who are willing to go this extra mile to prevent their child from seeing inappropriate television are much more likely than parents who do not make this attempt to be aware of whether or not their child is thinking about or has already become sexually active. Unfortunately, some parents do not see these devices as an aid that might help them raise their children, they see it as a substitute for active parenting. Parents who purchase the device with this use in mind, tend to work outside of the home and spend less time with their children.