a system and method are provided for restricting access to a television by providing parental control functions . separate parental control levels are set for different users with each user having a different password . when the television is initially turned on , the default parental control level chosen is to be the level that corresponds with the most restrictive parental control level . if another user with a less restrictive parental control level wishes to change the parental control level , they enter their password for their level of parental control .