GeoPalz Announces Media Credits - A Reward System to Help Parents Empower Kids to Lead Active Lifestyles

BOULDER, CO, May 19, 2011 (Press-News.org) GeoPalz (www.geopalz.com), the first activity tracker and online game to promote fitness specifically for children, introduces a new feature to the site called Media Credits. This feature provides parents a way to limit the time kids spend on the Internet, TV and video games by exchanging activity points for Media Credits.

According to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation*, kids between the ages of eight and 18 devote more than seven hours to entertainment media in a typical day. The new Media Credits from GeoPalz help parents encourage physical activity in their kids, in exchange for time increment rewards to watch TV, surf the Internet or play video games.

Using a GeoPalz pedometer, kids track steps and log them online at GeoPalz.com, where they are converted to points. Children can buy 15-minute Media Credits for four points (equal to 10,000 steps), which can be redeemed by the child to use on whichever type of media they select.

"We've faced the fact that compelling TV, video games and Internet are here to stay," said Rich Schmelzer, CEO of GeoPalz, LLC. "Now we've created a system to use the attraction of these media to our children's advantage by balancing them with fitness-focused activities."

Initially, Media Credits are meant for use with media devices in users' homes. Moving forward, the GeoPalz platform and API will allow for other online companies and stores to use GeoPalz points as currency to unlock features at their own websites. Other commerce sites will be able to use this currency in exchange for products and hard goods, much like how points are currently redeemed for prizes on the GeoPalz site. Ultimately, the "activity-to-currency platform" can be used universally to empower kids to make healthy decisions.

"At GeoPalz, we invite any companies that are concerned about the status of kids' health today to join us by using our 'activity-to-currency platform' to promote physical activity and healthy habits," said Alexandra O'Leary, COO of GeoPalz, LLC.

GeoPalz are available nationwide in more than 250 retailers and online. For more information, purchase or to find a store near you, please visit http://www.geopalz.com/store.

About GeoPalz
GeoPalz is a family-owned business founded in 2008 by Rich and Sheri Schmelzer and Alexandra O'Leary, the creators of Jibbitz (www.jibbitz.com) - the stylish accessories for CrocsTM. As parents, the creators of GeoPalz wanted their mission to align with Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative to combat childhood obesity by encouraging youth to lead active lifestyles. GeoPalz activity trackers feature unique, fun designs and a safe online community that motivates children by converting physical activity into "pedpointz," which can be redeemed for free, activity-based toys and awards at http://www.geopalz.com.

*Kaiser Family Foundation Study: http://www.kff.org/entmedia/mh012010pkg.cfm