Post: An Electronic Solution for Managing Kids' Media Use?
An Electronic Solution for Managing Kids' Media Use?
One of Common Sense Media's primary recommendations for managing kids' media use is to set clear time limits and to stick to them. But for many parents -- especially those who work outside the home -- enforcing those time limits can be a tricky proposition.
A company called Hopscotch Technology has just released a product intended to help parents enforce media time limits. "BOB," as the device is called, works with televisions, computers and game consoles, and keeps track of how much screen time kids' are spending with each. Once they've spent their allotted time with the media, "BOB" shuts the gadgets off.
Digital Lifestyle magazine calls it a "harsh but extremely effective product.".
Parents: Does this sound like a good way to enforce time limits, or is it better to enforce kids' media use in person?
There are 2 replies to this post
Date: March 27, 2006
It sounds like an interesting product...and I think it would definitely be good for the hours when the kids are home but parents aren't back from work. But it would have to be pretty user-friendly.
Date: March 28, 2006
Not a bad idea. This way, parents will have no excuse to complain that they can't be around to monitor their kids' use.