Limit Children's Television, Computer & Video Game Use
even when you're not home! |
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NEW YORK, Nov. 11 2003: How can a parent limit computer, video game and television viewing by his/her children even when you are not home?
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Hope For Parents
Fighting the Video
Game & TV Time Wars |
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A groundbreaking, patent-pending tool called EyeTimer™
released today allows parents to do just this.
Parents can now set limits on
the time their children spend using television,
computers and video game consoles, thus allowing each
to
regulate their children's exposure to high-tech media
stimuli. According to a report re-issued last week
by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), excessive TV
viewing may be responsible for the 'epidemic' of attention
deficit disorder, behavioral problems, faltering academic
abilities, language difficulties, and weak problem-solving
skills reported by teachers throughout the United States.
"It's frightening that, on average, young people today clock
over 30 hours per week in front of TV, computers, and video
games," said Mr. Richard Cohen, president of EyeTimer, adding,
"EyeTimer enables parents to set reasonable limits for their
children for all of the electronic entertainment devices in
their home."
The tamper-proof EyeTimer system empowers children to decide
when to watch TV, use the Internet, or play games -- parents
decide for how long. An additional proprietary feature called
Study Mode™ allows children to
access word processing and other schoolwork-oriented programs.
"We know that too much TV and Internet exposure diminishes
children's social skills, increases violent acts, decreases
physical activity, and contributes significantly to the
growing problem of childhood obesity" stated pediatrician
Marianne Neifert, M.D., nationally known as "Dr. Mom." "As
children have increased access to technology at home, parents
cannot ignore the negative health effects and must take steps
to limit excessive exposure."
How EyeTimer Works:
1. Parents set a Time Budget for each child. (For example, one
to two hours of entertainment per day or 5 to 10 hours per
week.)
2. Children sign on to EyeTimer when they want to watch TV,
play video games, or use the computer.
3. EyeTimer then turns on the selected device via a small
wireless transmitter.
4. When time's up, EyeTimer turns off the device.
Changing the Dynamics of American Families
EyeTimer effectively solves many parent-child conflicts
surrounding the use of electronic entertainment, allowing
parents to:
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Be a parent, not
a watchdog
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Teach
responsibility and the basics of time management
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End arguments
over time spent on the computer and watching television
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Prevent marathon
TV sessions and eliminate video game "zone outs"
Mr. Cohen added, "Almost immediately,
parents using EyeTimer report fewer arguments with their
children. And because children must plan their entertainment
schedule according to their Time Budgets, they are learning
self-discipline and time management skills much earlier than
their peers."
"EyeTimer has definitely made my family more aware of the time
they spend on TV, Playstation, and computer. Now, my kids
spend more time outside playing with their friends," said
Keith Budurka, father of two teenagers in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
"I'd much rather see them running around outside than hunched
over playing games on the computer."
Tips for Parenting
Media Distracted Kids
Parents looking for advice on how to parent
"media-hooked" kids. can access Marianne Neifert, M.D. (Dr.
Mom) comprehensive report on this topic, available
exclusively at
eyetimer.com.
Tips include:
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Schedule "Turn
Off the TV Night" in your home and plan a family activity
like puzzle making, scrabble or other board games.
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Create weekly
incentives for children to complete all chores by rewarding
them with additional electronic minutes when schoolwork or
household cleaning is complete.
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Use tools, like
the EyeTimer system, to set limits on your child's use of
electronic entertainment and instill practical
time-management skills.
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Set children on
a trajectory of discovery outside of the home with weekly
trips to the library, children's museum, zoo, or park.
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Create a family
book club and discuss favorite books once a month at a
family dinner.
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Be a positive
role model for your kids by establishing your own computer
and television allowances.
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