SMARTguard Launches PC Game Management Tool to Protect Kids

April 27, 2005 --From SMARTguard Software, WallFly is the first software tool specifically designed to help parents protect their children from playing computer games that contain violent or sexual content. WallFly enables parents to restrict certain PC games from running and to set limits on game-playing time for their kids.

Helping Parents with Gaming Habits
Kaiser Family Foundation's recent study found 86 percent of kids have a computer at home, and nearly one-third have a computer in their bedroom—away from parental view. An estimated 87 percent of boys are also playing mature-rated video games. According to Dr. Jerald Block, founder of SMARTguard Software, "WallFly empowers parents to better manage their children's computer use."

How It Works
Utilizing the industry-standard Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) database of game ratings and additional content descriptors, WallFly provides parents with information about the content of each game installed on their personal computer, indicating whether it contains violence, sex, or other areas of concern to families. Using WallFly, parents create individual profiles for each child, including age, maturity level and allowed content. Each video game is checked against this profile, and only appropriate games are allowed to run for each child. WallFly easily protects children from accessing violence and other game content that parents decide is only appropriate for older siblings or other members of the family.

With WallFly, parents can also set limits on when and for how long children may use the computer or play computer games. Computer or game access can also be restricted during study time, mealtime or bedtime by the parental control software.

System Requirements, Pricing and Availability
WallFly works with Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000 operating systems, and requires an Internet connection. WallFly is currently available directly from SMARTguard Software online and Download.com. WallFly is available on an annual subscription basis for $39.99. To download a free trial, go to www.smartguardsoftware.com.

SOURCE SMARTguard Software