HOW TO: Set the Family Timer on the Xbox 360

After you haver turned on parental controls (see: How To Turn On Parental Controls) you can set the family timer.

The Family Timer is used limit the amount of time your family can use your console on a daily or weekly basis. Family members can see how much time remains by pressing the Guide button on the Xbox controller. When the time expires, the console shuts down and can't be used again until the Family Timer automatically resets the next day or week.

To set the Family Timer

1. On your console, go to Settings, and then select Family. 
2. Select On to turn on Console Safety. 
3. Enter a 4-button pass code using your controller. 
4. Select Family Timer. 
5. Select whether you want to set a Daily or Weekly timer. 
6. Move down to the time period and use the left stick to increase or decrease the time period, then select Continue. 
7. Select Save and Exit. 

NOTE: When the Family Timer is on, notifications will appear 1 hour, 30 minutes, 15 minutes, and 5 minutes before the time runs out. These give players sufficient warning so that they can save their games. However, when one of these notifications appears, you can add time or disable the timer altogether by entering your pass code.

HOW TO: Turn on parental controls on Xbox 360

Is your son, daughter, brother or sister using your Xbox 360 way too much or way too late at night?  Do you want to restrict when and what they play?  Here is how to turn on parental controls on Xbox 360.

The Xbox 360 console lets you customize and manage your family's access to games, movies, and television content. The Xbox 360 parental controls can be used to control both the console itself and access to content on Xbox Live, including:

• Which games can be played. 
• Which movies and TV shows can be watched. 
• How long each family member can use the console on a daily or                                                   Weekly basis.                                                  
• Whether or not a family member can access Xbox Live.
• Parental controls for Xbox 360 can be set through the console itself                                             or on Xbox Live through your computer. 

Parental controls are divided into two groups: console controls and online safety and privacy settings. Console controls are located in the Family Settings or Family Center area on your console (depending on your Xbox Live membership type). 

Set parental controls on your Xbox 360 console

1. On your console, go to Settings, and then select Family.  
2. Select the gamertag of the child whose settings you want to adjust. 
3. Under Privacy & Online Settings, select Change Settings. 
4. Update the settings and then exit the screen to save. 

Set parental controls through your computer

1. Sign in to your Xbox account. 
2. Tap or click My account. 
3. Tap or click Security, family & forums. 
4. Tap or click Xbox 360 Online Safety, and then select the account you want to adjust. (Your child’s avatar will be shown here next to your own.) 
5. Select Allowed or Blocked next to the areas you want to limit or allow access to, and then tap or click Save.