Wii Firmware Update: Parental Controls

By Rob Galbreath / Thursday, 30 November 2006

Nintendo recently released a firmware update to provide more parental control features to the Wii console. Previously, the console's parental control feature allowed users to specify what Wii games could be played on their system according to their ESRB rating. Now parents will also be able to restrict online access via WiiConnect 24.

After the update is installed, clicking on "Parental Controls" in the Wii Settings menu prompts the following options:

"Restrict the use of Wii Points on the Wii Shop Channel?" Yes/No
"Restrict the exchange of mail or other content over WiiConnect 24?" Yes/No
"Restrict use of the Internet Channel?" Yes/No
"Restrict use of the News Channel?" Yes/No

The Wii Shop Channel launched with the console, allowing users to download Virtual Console games and other Wii-specific software, the latter not currently available. WiiConnect 24 is a built-in feature allowing the console to stay connected to the Internet, even when in standby mode.

The Internet and News Channels have not been released yet, but this most recent update may be a signal of the Internet Channel's impending launch. According to Wii.com, the News Channel is still set for January 27, 2007.

The Internet Channel will allow users to browse the Internet using a version of Opera's Web browser, while the News Channel will provide regularly updated content from the Associated Press directly to the Wii.

The Wiire will have the latest on important Wii updates.