New Time Limit Device Released
7/28/2003 at 3:58 PM
Because apparently parental authority doesn't exist anymore.
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Because "it's hard to argue with a box" the Time-Scout has just been released to help parents regulate the amount of time their children spend watching TV, sit on the computer, and of course, play video games.
Card Access, Inc., a Utah based company, plans to give parents the ability to use time as a sort of currency. Here is their description of how the device works:
Time-Scout Monitor is an excellent tool for parents who are "invested" in their children's well being. As a parent, you know how hard it is to control the amount of time your children spend playing video games, watching TV and being on the computer and internet. Limiting their use, or telling them it’s time to stop often results in begging, pleading and even all-out battles.
Time-Scout Monitor provides a new way for concerned parents to manage and keep track of the amount of time their children play video games, watch TV, and spend on the computer. The patent-pending Time-Scout Monitor easily, fairly and consistently monitors and controls the amount of time a child spends using these types of electronic devices. With a simple, “no-programming” approach to the problem, parents simply plug the video game player, TV, or computer monitor into Time-Scout and then plug Time-Scout into any standard household power outlet. Time-Scout does the rest by keeping track of each child’s use. When the child’s allotted time is up, Time-Scout shuts off power to the device. It becomes the “enforcer” instead of the parent, eliminating the begging, pleading and battles over limiting electronic device use, and lets parents control kids’ time without having to be the “bad guy.”
Time-Scout Monitor becomes the on/off control for power to the device. Simply by swiping cards like you do with an ATM or debit card, parents add or subtract time from each child’s Time-Scout account. This can be done on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Parents can also override the allotted time for special occasions, or lock kids out of the device completely. Once accounts are set up, children then swipe their personal cards when they start playing, watching or surfing while Time-Scout keeps track of their time. When finished, they swipe their card again, and Time-Scout stops the clock, saves their remaining time in memory and shuts the power off to the device. As the child uses up their allotted time, Time-Scout gives warning beeps at the 15-, 5-, and 1- minute time remaining marks, giving the child time to finish up a show or save a game. Each Time-Scout Monitor includes account cards for parents and up to four users. Additional sets of three cards can be purchased supporting a total of ten different user accounts for each Time-Scout.
No word on the development of a robotic parent.
Article by John Luedtke, GamingWorld X
Source: Card Access, Inc.
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