RSSNew Parental Controls Limit Xbox Time
By Nate Mook | Published November 7, 2007, 3:32 PM
As part of a new marketing blitz to promote the Xbox 360 as a "family friendly" video game console, Microsoft on Wednesday rolled out a new feature called Family Timer, which will show up in the Family Settings Screen.
The Timer will let parents limit the number of hours their kids can play the Xbox on a daily or weekly basis. When the time limit is reached, the console will automatically shut off, ostensibly after saving the game.
Microsoft says that more than 90 percent of parents placed restrictions on gaming, and over half the parents surveyed said they would use a timer if it was available. In conjunction with the new feature, the Redmond company is joining with the National PTA to encourage parents to talk with their kids about "screen time."
"The campaign is designed to educate parents on the tools and resources available that can help them manage their family's media use," explained Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division. "The main program was a 20-city bus tour where we visited with parents and showed them how to use the controls on the Xbox 360 and Windows Vista, and with kids showing them that there are fun games for all ages."
The Family Timer feature is already found in Windows Vista in order to limit the time kids can spend in front of the computer. The previously available parental controls in the Xbox 360 largely revolved around which time of games were allowed to be played based on rating.
Brilliant! Although our Atari had this very same feature, back then however it was called parenting. This really teaches responcibility of both the parent and the child. Let the Xbox and TV raise the kid and Microsoft be the enforcer of the rules. What ever happened to "Turn it off or I will come turn it off for you"?
Score: 0
Parents can not be expected to parent. That is the job of the government.
Score: 0
parents working 9-5 would probably love this. set it so junior can't play before they get home, or only allow however many hours a day for play, so they have to do something else.
course, this requires the parents actually setting it...
Score: 0
Is this really needed? With 30%+ bricks, scratched disks, smoking add-on's, etc... it is not like the 360 will work long enough for someone to actually play it.
Score: 0
I dont know why you bother posting when nearly everything you say is just a bunch of crap!
Score: 0
Cut the crap already, idiot.
And Wiis are not doing that because most of them are in the closet.
Score: 0
Of course you don't care. You don't even have a 360, or a wife with kids.
Score: 0
You forgot life!
Score: 0
I think this is a great idea and have already implemented this feature on several vista machines for customers - Also using the reporting feature with download blocking. For a lot of parents, it is a great tool.
Score: 0
Sounds like you come from an autocratic society? Di you vote the W?
Score: 0
You lot are ****ing hillarious.
When Microsoft does this.
"For a lot of parents, it is a great tool."
When Sony adds parental controls to the PS3 browser however, It's the worst thing every, and why does a console need parental controls, and all sorts of other crap.
You are totally a laughing stock!
Score: 0
Curiosity, does the Wii have parental controls on the browser? If not, kinda stupid.
Score: 0
Who cares anyway if the PS3 has one or not. No one owns one especially kids.
Score: 0
"5...4...3...2...1...Bye Bye!"
Score: 0
I have to say this is a good idea... That way late night play will be at least somewhat more mature players in there. lol yea right!! lol
Score: 0
The kids ain't gonna like this, too bad they can't hack it!
Score: 0
I guess Microsoft likes to copy Sony, since this is already a feature avaliable on the PS3....
Score: 0
or just a natural evolution of a timer on the tv...
since my 360 is at my friends house while I move (may as well use him to up my gamer score), I should set this next time I'm over there.
Score: 0
But it will actually be useful on the Xbox 360, as the kids are apparently playing it too much.
I haven't seen a need to implement it on the PS3 so far.
Score: 0
There is no reason on the PS3 because there are no games that are any good to worry about playing to long.
Score: 0
"Family Timer"
A.K.A
"Turn's itself off before it breaks and we have to lose more money to fix it".
I'M JUST KIDDING! This is a great feature. Though I hope it doesn't appear on the PS3 for the same reason that SKAGS442 said.... THE WIFE FACTOR
Score: 0
I agree, if you want keep your kids from playing video games, give them a PS3.
Score: 0
I have to say that this is a fantastic addition. It makes way too much sense. Hell; I might use it just on myself!
Score: 0
i got to set this up so my wife wont be able too
Score: 0
the parents could always buy PS3 and don't have to worry about the kids playing because there are no good games for the PS3
Score: 0
ROFL!
Score: 0
That was pretty good!
Score: 0