Card Access an emerging technology innovator has announced a new way for parents to manage and keep track of the amount of time their children play video games, watch TV, and spend on the computer. The patent-pending Time-Scout Monitor easily, fairly and consistently monitors and controls the amount of time a child spends using these types of electronic devices.

With a simple, "no-programming" approach to the problem, parents simply plug Time-Scout into the wall, and then plug the video game player, TV, or computer monitor into Time-Scout. Time-Scout does the rest by keeping track of each child's use. When the child's allotted time is up, Time-Scout shuts down power to the device. It becomes the "enforcer" instead of the parent, eliminating the begging, pleading and battles over limiting electronic device use, and lets parents control kids' time without having to be the "bad guy."

Time-Scout Monitor becomes the on/off control for the device. Simply by swiping cards like one does with an ATM or debit card, parents add or subtract time from each child's Time-Scout account. This can be done on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Parents can also override the allotted time for special occasions, or lock kids out of the device completely. Once accounts are set up, children then swipe their personal cards when they start playing, watching or surfing while Time-Scout keeps track of their time.

When finished, they swipe their card again, and Time-Scout stops the clock and shuts the power off to the device. As the child uses up their allotted time, Time-Scout gives warning beeps at the 15-, 5-, and 1- minute time remaining marks, giving the child time to finish up a show or save a game. Each Time-Scout Monitor includes account cards for parents and up to four users. Additional sets of three cards can be purchased supporting a total of ten different user accounts for each Time-Scout.

Kids media usage unhealthy: Harvard Ph.D. in experimental psychology Harold L. Miller said, "Nearly every home in America has a television set. Two-thirds of them have three or more sets. Nine of every 10 homes have video game units or personal computers for video games. Children in America spend more time with the TV than they spend in school. Only sleep gets a greater share of their time.

"By the time they're 10 years old, American children have viewed 8,000 murders and 100,000 violent acts in TV shows. Saturday morning shows average almost 20 violent acts per hour. As childhood viewing of televised violence increases, so does the risk of committing violent acts during the teen years and adulthood. The violent content of many popular video games compounds the risk."

Time-Scout Monitor requires a standard household 120-volt outlet, and is approved for use in the home by the Federal Communications Commission. Card Access researches, develops, tests and manufactures a variety of products and technologies..