A FATHER and son from Cirencester have launched a gadget to tackle gaming addiction amongst children.

James and Keith Potter have created a device and mobile app that allows parents to set up a daily time allowance, and track how long their children have been playing.

Growing up in Baunton, just outside of Cirencester, and attending Deer Park School, James was addicted to playing computer games in his teens.

His father Keith, would try everything to get him to do his homework and get him outdoors.

Keith said: It got so bad that we resorted to turning the mains off in the house to get him off the console.

“It even had an affect on his schoolwork.”

Gaming addiction is now recognised as a serious health issue, with teens addicted to games like Fortnite, so the pair decided to team up to create a device to help combat that, the QTIME.

The device works on both Xbox and Playstation consoles, by plugging it into the HDMI slot, that connects the console to the television.

Parents can then download an app, that allows them to set a daily time allowance, see how long they spent playing games that week, or even turn the screen off that second.

Keith continued: "There are products that focus on phones and apps addiction, but we couldn't find anything in the UK that focused on games console addiction.

Parents can control the console everywhere they go, from work to out shopping.

James added: “It has been in the process now for two to three years.

“We launched a trial recently and at the end some of the parents didn’t want to give them back!

“In the last few days it has launched on Amazon UK but we are looking beyond that and hope to sell it internationally.

“This thing would have been my worst nightmare when I was a gamer, but I’m sure my exam grades would have improved!”

The device has now been made available on Amazon UK, where it is selling for £39.99. To buy the device, go to amzn.to/2EmnbSL.

For more about QTime go to getqtime.com