GameDr Video Game Timer [Parental Leash for Video-Gaming Kids]

I probably lost the better part of five years of my youth to video games and just about as much time arguing with my parents about how much time I spent in front of the screen. In fact, it might be the reason I need to wear glasses today. Anyway, parents today have to deal with even more technology taking their kid’s time. What if there was a way to monitor, better yet, control how much time your little monsters spent battling aliens and saving virtual galaxies from annihilation? The GameDr video game timer might be the perfect prescription.

Invented by John Morrissey of Edina, Minnisota, the GameDr Video Game Timer is basically a high-tech chastity belt for your gaming console. The unit is attached to the plug of the game console and set by the parents to a pre-determined number of hours or minutes using a password protected digital display. Once the time limit has been reached, it sends out a series of audible beeps letting the gamer know that their time is about to run out. Once the time limit is reached, the device electronically locks out the power supply to the gaming device. Game over, man! Game over!

The general idea behind the GameDr is that it allows parents to control how much time their kids are allowed to spend controller in hand. I guess it’ll give kids more time to spend texting and Tweeting. Not a bad concept, really, but I’m sure that some of those tech-savvy teens will have a hack figured out in no time. The device retails for $30 and is being marketed by Digital Innovations of Arlington, Illinois.