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| Vol. 22: This Issue |
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TV and
Attention
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Study Confirms Link Between Early Television Exposure
in Children and Attention Disorders
With the end of another school year and summer vacations
upon us, a new study from Children’s Hospital,
Seattle serves as a wake up call for all parents. The
study appears in the April issue of Pediatrics and confirms
what the National Institute on Media and the Family
has long suspected – a link exists between early
television exposure in young children and attention
disorders. Such attention disorders can affect a child’s
ability to learn in school. These findings are particularly
alarming when you consider the Kaiser Family Foundation’s
study last year showing that one-third of all children
under six, and one-fourth of those under two, have televisions
in their bedrooms.
Symptoms of attention deficit disorders include inability
to sit still, trouble paying attention, and a lack of
mental focus. Kids who have these disorders often do
poorly in school because they have much trouble reading,
paying attention in class, and staying on task.
Parents who want to give their children the best chance
to avoid attention problems need to make a MediaWise
® to do list. First, get the TV out of the bedroom.
Having a television in a child’s room discourages
participation in family time and encourages them to
watch television when they should be doing activities
important to their growth, such as reading and physical
fitness activities. Next, limit screen time to a reasonable
amount. And don’t forget to limit your kids to
age-appropriate programming. |
| The
Seven Building Blocks for School Success
Dr. David Walsh, president and founder of
the National Institute on Media and the Family,
has published a paper, “Seven Building
Blocks for School Success,” that are key
to children becoming good students. These building
blocks require real human interaction and resourcefulness,
exactly what television and other media prevent
and discourage. One of the building blocks is
“the ability to pay attention.”
“Evidence is growing that early TV exposure
undermines all the building blocks, and the
new study is proof that tuning into the tube
at an early age contributes to attention problems
and hampers learning,” said Dr. Walsh.
To learn more about the “Seven Building
Blocks for School Success,” Click
Here
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FTC
Tracking Media Violence Complaints
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There is good news in the fight against media
violence. The Federal Trade  Commission
recently announced that it has expanded its consumer
complaint handling system to categorize and track
complaints about media violence, including complaints
about the advertising, marketing, and sales of
violent movies, electronic games (including video
games), and music.
The Federal Trade Commission asks that consumers
who wish to file complaints use the Commission’s
online complaint form, available at http://www.ftc.gov
, or call toll-free at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
With respect to the content of television programming,
consumers should direct their complaints to the
Federal Communications Commission at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html. |
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Five
New Institute Speakers Available
The National Institute on Media and the Family
is pleased to introduce Michael Mann, Dan
Walsh, Kevin Swan, Jodi Petrich, and Jeremy
Gieske as our new Training Consultants.
Along with Dr. Walsh and Dr. Douglas Gentile,
our director of research, the Training Consultants
are available for speaking and training on
topics related to media's impact on children,
families, and communities.
You can view their biographies here.
If you would like to request one of our speakers,
please visit www.mediafamily.org.
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Media
Myths with Douglas Gentile, Ph.D.
The Myth: Media effects are simple and
direct.
The Truth: Media effects are subtle and
cumulative.
The Evidence: It is rare to ever see
a simple, direct media effect, although most
of us can recall a time when we noticed one
(e.g., you see a pizza advertisement and immediately
crave pizza). However, this is not typically
how media effects occur. Media effects are subtle
and cumulative over time. Even when media are
specifically designed to influence behavior,
such as advertisements, they are not designed
to be simple and direct – they are designed
to work without our noticing their effects.
This subtlety helps to mask a remarkable power.
For example, research shows that attitudes and
purchasing behaviors can be altered by as few
as two or three exposures to an ad. Yet, as
we watch or drive past advertisements we do
not feel our opinions changing. Part of the
reason for this is because ads are generally
presented as entertainment, so that viewers
are less likely to notice any effect or to resist
their messages. Furthermore, research suggests
that the more one participates in this charade,
by believing that advertisements don’t
affect "me," one is more likely to
be affected. Thus, if we expect media effects
to be simple and direct, we are probably failing
to notice many of the most typical and most
powerful media influences. |
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Why
Do They Act That Way? A New Book By Dr. Walsh
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Above: Dr. Walsh helps La Creche
parents get MediaWise . The Institute’s work
with La Creche Early Childhood Centers brought the
program to 120 families.
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Watch for a revolutionary new book from Dr. David
Walsh. Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival
Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen
will be available August 2004.
In Why Do They Act That Way? nationally renowned,
award-winning psychologist Dr. David Walsh explains
exactly what happens to the human brain on the path
from childhood into adolescence and adulthood. Revealing
the latest scientific findings in easy-to-understand
terms, Dr. Walsh shows why moodiness, quickness to
anger and to take risks, miscommunication, fatigue,
territoriality, and other familiar teenage behavior
problems are so common—all are linked to physical
changes and growth in the adolescent brain.
You can place your advance orders at Amazon.com, Barnes
& Noble and other online book retailers. Order
it today!
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New
Board Member Kevin P. Morris
The National Institute on Media and the Family is
proud to welcome Kevin P. Morris to its Board of Directors.
As vice president of public affairs for Midwest Coca-Cola
Bottling Company, Kevin Morris is responsible for
government relations, public relations, community
affairs and consumer response.
Prior to joining Midwest Coca-Cola in 1990, Morris
worked as director of public affairs for American
National Can in Chicago, IL, overseeing the corporation’s
public affairs activities. He also served on the staff
of U.S. Representative John Porter of Illinois. Morris
is a member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Board
of Directors.
A Chicago native, Morris is a 1980 graduate of Beloit
College, where he received a B.A. in government and
economics. In 1986, he graduated from Northwestern
University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of
Management. He resides in Edina, Minnesota with his
wife Cherri and daughters Megan and Colleen.
The Institute is proud Kevin has joined our Board
of Directors and looks forward to working with him.
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You can help
us help families
Future research and outreach efforts could not be possible
without continued support. The Institute accepts donations
via mail, telephone, and online:
606 24th Avenue South, Suite 606
Minneapolis, MN, 55454
1-888-672-5437 • www.mediafamily.org
Concerned about how media violence and disrespect affects
your family?
What:
Support the important work of the National Institute
on Media and the Family.
Why: Kids
need your help. The Institute is a nonprofit organization.
Your gift helps us help parents and educators help children.
How: Send
your tax-deductable gift to:
National Institute
on Media and the Family
Riverside Professional Building
606 24th Ave. South, Suite 606
Minneapolis, MN 55454-1438
Who: YOU
can make a difference for our children.
Also:
How you
can help.
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