Is your key, as MyKey, not-X-rated?

[Loralee Reach 245]

Ford MyKey now allows parents to block Howard Stern, Playboy Radio [w/video]

 

by Jeremy Korzeniewski, Autoblog (RSS feed) on Dec 29th 2010 at 3:31PM

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Ford's upgraded MyKey for 2011

 

Modern technology means that parental controls are now spreading to cars as factory equipment, and the automaker leading the charge is Ford. Using the latest version of the company's MyKey system, parents can now block their children from listening to certain radio stations ? say, for instance, Howard Stern or Playboy Radio on satellite. In fact, there are a dozen stations listed as explicit by Sirius, and all of them can be blocked using MyKey starting in 2011.

 

Also seeing an upgrade for 2011 is MyKey's speed-limiting technology. Previously, the top speed of a properly equipped Ford vehicle could be capped at 80 miles per hour (128 kph) (with chimes sounding at 45 (72), 55 (88) and 65 (104)). Now, users can preset a desired speed limit at any of four different settings ? 65, 70, 75 or 80 mph. While an obvious safety feature, the technology can also dramatically improve fuel efficiency.

 

Already, Ford's MyKey allows parents to limit audio volume, encourage seatbelt usage by muting the radio until front occupants buckle up and provide earlier low-fuel warnings. All of these could be considered important safety features, considering that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that teens are more likely to speed (a contributing factor in 30 percent of fatal accidents) and are less likely to use their safety-belts.

 

Ford contracted the firm Penn, Schoen & Berland to conduct a survey regarding its new MyKey features, and the results aren't terribly surprising: 85 percent of parents believe the speed limiting controls are important and 60 percent say the same regarding the radio content controls. Even 45 percent of teen drivers themselves say they approve of the technology... just as long as it means they get extended driving privileges from their parents. Of course, said teens can also simply circumvent the MyKey safety leash by listening to CDs or their MP3 players, but we digress.

[Lowdark 5613]

Wow. An automaker demonstrating something resembling responsibility. While I don't have the privilige of being a parent, I have often thought how I would cope with issues like the internet. Good to see a manufacturer offering parents a helping hand. Problem is some probably found a way around this before this article was even published.

[TGirl-Kay 7484]

Gads, if your kids so much of fool that it's necessary to govern there every move, don't give them the keys to your brand new car.

What ever happend to teaching consequence and personal responsibility.

 

Brains and free will.

[BownChickaBown 4829]

What ever happend to teaching consequence and personal responsibility.

 

Brains and free will.

 

The fact of the matter is Common Sense is Not Common.

 

Whereby by far the majority of people on earth are simple-minded followers, they need, and even prefer, to have a carrot dangled in front to lead them rather than have to think and do things for themselves.

 

It's easier to blame the government for killing kids rather than take personal responsibility for being a failed parent.

 

...and some people wonder why mental disease, such as self centered greed, is a pandemic.

 

Globalization = Greedalization

[Lowdark 5613]

We are talking about kids, though. And teenagers are just overgrown kids. It doesn't matter how good a parent you are, kids are going to push things to learn for themselves. They may know they aren't suppossed to listen to Howard Stern or speed but they fail to porperly appreciate the conscequences. Like the man says in the movie, "he's a kid, he's suppossed to be stupid. What's your excuse?" Adults know it's dumb to text/drink/apply makeup etc. and drive, they are fully aware of the conscequences, but do it anyway.