A system and method for controlling the content of a message transmitted from a transmitting device to a receiving device. When a message is sent from the transmitting device, it is determined whether the receiving device is capable of exhibiting the message without adaptation of the message's content. If the receiving device is capable of exhibiting the message without adaptation of the message's content, the receiving device exhibits the message. If the receiving device is not capable of exhibiting the message without adaptation of the message's content, the transmitting device is informed that the message could not be exhibited on the receiving device without adaptation of the message's content. The receiving device can also be informed what portions cannot be exhibited by the receiving device, and instructions can be provided so that the receiving device does not display the message at all if the message must be adapted.