Rumors are circulating that the upcoming update for Xbox Live will include a parental control that will allow parents to set a time limit for their little gamer. After reaching the maximum time, the Xbox will shut itself off with no warning. This has not been confirmed by Microsoft, and I am not sure that will it be effective.

If it is issued in an update there are two likely scenarios. First, the kid logs on, downloads the update, sets his/her own parental password, locks his/her parents out (if they are aware of the update), and continues to play until his/her thumbs blister . Second, kid logs on, downloads the update, has no idea of the new feature (nor does his/her parents),  and goes on gaming until school the next day. Is there a parents of Xbox junkies support group that will inform the world of this so that they can beat their kids to the console and set up the timer before the kid knows what happens?

The oblivousness that I think will exist will make this feature nearly useless. Most youngsters that play Xbox are aware enough to know (1) possible ways their parents can monitor their activities, and (2) ways to prevent that from happening (see above). Is Microsoft going to start to put notices on packaging that says, "Now With Parental Controls!"? I doubt it. Mostly, the parents that would be aware of this are the ones that are gamers as well. In that case, Dad will just use it to get Junior off the Xbox so he can play.

I'm not really going to analyze if it is real or not, I am just wondering will it be effective? Personally, I don't think it will be. What do you think?