PLAYLIMIT: A Tool to Limit Video Game and TV Use in Children

Having grandchildren who are 4 years old and 3 years of age, the lure of video games concerns me. Fortunately, when it comes to TV viewing, my daughter and her husband, along with other assorted grandparents, make it a point to view TV with the kids and the only semi-video game they know is that brain-drainer, Whac-a-Mole. Our days are numbered, aren't they?

The other day I was impressed with an ad for a "new-to-me" product called PLAYLIMIT. I checked out the website for PLAYLIMIT because I had recently I posted a column titled "Are Video Games the Plague of the 21st Century?" In the article I explored the current societal fear that video game play has become addictive in large numbers. Although I argue both sides of the debate, I concede that parents have a real challenge on their hands when it comes to controlling game play (as well as TV viewing).

As my grandson enters kindergarten in 2008, video games will be a hot topic; Pandora will be permanently out of the box. So, what's one to do?

How about this? A magic box with tokens? Sounds like a bit of fun.

The box itself is small and easy to manage. About the size of a mini-boom-box. By inserting a token, the child will have a control point for play.

Much like an allowance, tokens can be awarded for chores or special accomplishments. Also, when more than two children (or half a dozen!) need to share the same TV for video games or special shows, Playlimit is a great way to keep track of "turns."

As further explanation, PlayLimit offers specific time period while parents set a definite limit on how much TV their children can view. "What's more, the tokens empower kids to manage their own time, so parents no longer have to be the"time's up police!"

Especially appealing is the notion that children will do their own policing of time. As a former teacher and now as a person who works with many creative people as a recording studio manager, I feel successful "time management" is critical for success.