“PLAYLIMIT” PROVIDES
PARENTS A SMART WAY TO LIMIT KIDS’ VIDEO GAMES
AND TV TIME
Electronic device allows
kids to insert tokens for game time and then blocks the
video signal when time is up.
HOLLAND, MICHIGAN (December 15, 2005) --
Children today have extraordinary access to television
and video games. In fact, a March 2005 report from Kaiser
Family Foundation reveals, “Two-thirds of all 8-18
year olds have a TV in their room (68%), and half (49%)
have a video game player there.”* Even when TVs and
game players are in the den or living room, there is a
great potential for overuse.
But what is the solution for parents who
want to limit access but also want to teach their children
how to manage time responsibly? Simple: It’s called “PlayLimit.”
PlayLimit is a timer device that connects
between a TV and a video game player or TV input (such
as a DVD player). Kids insert tokens to get access time
to the TV. The PlayLimit counts down, but before time runs
out, it warns kids so they can save their game. When time
is up, the “Out of Time” message blocks the
TV screen.
“PlayLimit
allows parents a simple and convenient way of setting limits
for the amount of time their kids spend in front of a TV,” says
Mike Ellis, president and founder of SpinDance Inc., the
technology development company that created PlayLimit.
Too much TV is bad for children. Even educational
video games and programs, if not restricted, can reduce
children’s ability to think and learn for themselves.
By giving kids tokens for a specific time period, parents
set a definite limit on how much TV their kids can watch.
What’s more, the tokens empower kids to manage their
own time, so parents no longer have to be the “time’s
up!” enforcers.
“Once children understand their TV
limits,” Mr. Ellis adds, “parents can encourage
other activities such as reading, drawing, and sports to
fill the void. And that’s the ultimate purpose of
PlayLimit -- to be a positive experience for both parents
and children.”
PlayLimit comes with
everything you need to setup and get started in less than five minutes.
PlayLimit includes the following features:
- Simple token-activated operation. The PlayLimit system includes 40 tokens -- each token
allows 15 minutes of game playing or TV viewing.
- Ability to control video games and
TV viewing. The PlayLimit system includes the necessary
cables to connect a video game player as well as a
VCR/DVD player or cable television source.
- On-screen display and audible warnings
for time expiration. The large time display on the
PlayLimit console warns you when play
time is running out so you can save your game or add more tokens. A countdown
timer
also
appears on the TV screen, and the TV beeps at intervals.
- Pause button allows breaks without
losing time. You can press the Pause button at any
time so you can leave your game without
being penalized.
- Secure case with key access for
parents. Parents have the key to the token box where
they can retrieve tokens. The token box
also is where the back panel of the PlayLimit console is secured, preventing
cables
from
being removed.
- Additional secured modes for parents. The token box contains switches a parent can set to
allow unlimited play or prevent all
play.
Currently, PlayLimit is sold exclusively
at http://www.playlimit.com.
Other retail outlets are to follow. Dealer inquiries
are welcome.
About SpinDance. SpinDance is a technology
development company located in Holland, Michigan. SpinDance
provides
solution-oriented
software
development services:
including software development consulting, embedded
software product development and complete outsourced
solutions.
As a technology company,
SpinDance is
also involved in developing products that provide
unique solutions to consumers and businesses.
* Source: http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia030905nr.cfm
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