Microsoft Launches Xbox 360 'Family Timer' For Parents

Microsoft has announced the launch of its previously reported Xbox 360 Family Timer worldwide, a move the company says is in response to extensive surveys it conducted about parents' attitudes toward kids and video games. The Family Timer feature can restrict children's activity time by automatically turning the console off once a predetermined time limit set by parents has been exceeded, providing notifications beforehand to warn gamers that the session is nearing the end so they have sufficient time to save their game. The Microsoft survey conducted throughout Europe found, according to the company, that 75 percent of parents would welcome built-in technology or software to monitor the time their children spend playing video games. A similar Microsoft survey conducted in the United States last month found that 62 percent of parents say they would use a timer if it were available to help them manage their children's interactive entertainment use. Both surveys were part of Microsoft's family gaming campaign, which it calls, "Safety is no game. Is your family set?" campaign. Microsoft corporate vice president of global marketing for interactive entertainment Jeff Bell said, "As a leader in interactive entertainment, it has been our priority to innovate and improve our Family Settings technology to help parents worldwide manage their children's video gaming and online experiences."