Time-Scout Monitor Limits Kids' PC, TV Time

Device helps parents track, manage children's use of electronic devices.

Ramon G. McLeod, PCWorld.com

NEW YORK-- For parents tired of hearing "Just a little longer," from kids glued to the TV or PC, a company is supplying a technological answer: Time-Scout Monitor, which tracks and enforces usage limits on electronic products, and cuts the power when time runs out.

Card Access is showing its device at the CeBIT show here this week. The gadget was inspired by the 11-year-old son of the president, Kent Hansen.

"You get home and the kid is playing Nintendo or the computer when they're supposed to be doing homework. Then you're facing arguments and negotiations that make you the bad guy,'' Hansen says. "With this product, there's no argument, because you can't argue with a box."

Time-Scout Monitor is scheduled to ship in late July priced at $70. It comes with account cards to accommodate four users. Additional sets of three cards can be purchased, supporting a total of ten different user accounts for each Time-Scout Monitor.

How It Works

The Monitor itself is plugged into the wall and also to the regulated device--such as a television, console game, or computer monitor (not the PC), which is itself plugged into a base unit. Only one electronic device can be plugged into the base unit at a time.

Each user has an ATM-like card, which is swiped through a card reader that powers the regulated device and reads the amount of time permitted. Parents set up the cards in advance, allotting the time on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

Once parents set up the kids' accounts, children can use their personal cards in the Time-Scout Monitor when they want to play, watch, or surf. The Time-Scout Monitor keeps track of their time. Kids swipe their cards through the reader when they're through, and Time-Scout Monitor stops the clock and shuts off power to the device in use.

As a child uses up the allotted time, Time-Scout Monitor gives warning beeps at the 15-, 5-, and 1-minute marks, providing a chance to save a game or finish viewing a show. Parents can also override time limits and block use of the device entirely.

Teaching Tool

The Time-Scout Monitor offers the additional benefit of teaching children about time management, Hansen says.

"This tool teaches kids that time is worth something, that it's valuable to them. We think this a very important lesson no matter what the child's age," Hansen says.

This is a new venture for Card Access; the company develops and markets a variety of wireless networking products and add-ons for personal digital assistants.

Card Access is accepting advance orders for Time-Scout Monitor by telephone, at 888/299-8989. Online purchasing will be available later.

Editor's Note: PC World has not formally tested this product and therefore cannot attest to its value and ease of use at this time.