This, of course, requires parents to be engaged. But the information about the content of programs is available.

Two-third of parents say they are very concerned about the sex and violence on TV, and they would support new federal limits to prohibit that material from being shown on television.

We, too, have concerns about inappropriate material being viewed by children.

But we strongly believe it is the parents, not government officials, who should serve as household censors.

``If parents can make these decisions and enforce these decisions, why should the government?'' asked Jim Dyke, executive director of TV Watch, a coalition that opposes government control of television programming.

Parents need to parent. They, not the government, should set limits for their children.

If parents don't like what their kids are watching they can change the channel or turn the TV off.

This, of course, requires parents to be engaged. The information about the content of programs is available. The TV industry has voluntarily adopted a rating system that discloses whether a show contains adult content, nudity or violence. Now getting children - particularly teen-agers - to follow the household TV rules isn't easy. Parenting is a tough job.

Abdicating that responsibility is wrong.

The over-the-air broadcast channels are regulated because the material is being transmitted over public airwaves.

But the government has no business regulating the content of cable (or satellite) channels. Those who subscribe to cable know (or, at least, should know) the type of programming they are buying.

Expecting the government to filter all TV programming so that it's acceptable for young children is a mistake. It is also infringes on free speech rights.

Parents have remote controls with channel locks, V-chips and a variety of other resources - including common sense - at their disposal. They need to use them.