• Game Producers, Retailers and Parents Urged To Take Action
• New Research Reveals More Reasons to Tame the Tube
• MediaWise Movement Gains Momentum
• Congratulations MediaWise Schools
• The Results Are In
• What MediaWise Is...

5th Annual Report Card is Released in Washington D.C.

Game Producers, Retailers and Parents Urged To Take Action

Institute Advises Greater Parental Awareness With Technological Leaps Such As Playstation 2

The National Institute’s Fifth Annual Video and Computer Game Report Card was unveiled on Capitol Hill with Senators Joe Lieberman, Herb Kohl and Sam Brownback to an audience of national media on January 25, 2001. Video and computer game makers were commended for reform efforts and ratings education. However, many retailers failed to put up effective barriers against young people buying inappropriate games warned Dr. David Walsh, president of the National Institute on Media and the Family. The Institute found that only two national retail chains consistently enforce policies prohibiting the sale of adult rated games to minors. “The advances in technology not only make the games more realistic and exciting, but they also raise the stakes in terms of the impact on young players” says Walsh. Vigilance, therefore, becomes more important. The industry has to act on its promise to stop marketing games with age-sensitive content to kids. Retailers should prevent inappropriate games from falling into the hands of young players. Parents need to review ratings and keep up with technology as new platforms offer games with greater graphics and hyper-real violence.

• adopt a universal rating system that is administered independently for the game, film, and television industries.
• aggressively enforce the industry guidelines for marketing and advertising to children.
• continue industry public education about game ratings.
• retail and rental stores should actively enforce policies preventing the sale or rental of adult games to children and teens.
• the public should exert pressure on retail chains and independent stores who have refused to adopt responsible policies and restrict access to adult games.
• parents need to become more knowledgeable about the games their children are playing and should exert greater supervision.

By David Walsh, Ph.D.,
President of the National Institute on Media and the Family

Two studies about TV use during meals raises important concerns about children's health. Research at the National Institute on Media and the Family reveals that 66 percent of American families have the television on during mealtime at least "sometimes." Forty percent watch TV "almost always" while eating.

Another research study done at Tufts University shows that the children in those TV watching families eat fewer fruits and vegetables and consume more snack food and caffeinated soft drinks.

"It's troubling, but I guess it's not surprising," said Dr. Walsh. "Families with TV on during meals tend to be less focused and more convenience oriented. Popping a pizza in the oven is a lot easier than planning and preparing a well balanced meal. In addition, the TV itself is constantly promoting snack foods."

The National Institute on Media and the Family lists "Turn off the TV during mealtimes" as one of its tips to "Tame the Tube."

"Turning off the TV during meals can increase family communication. This research gives us another reason to underline it as a healthy family media habit," concludes Dr. Walsh.

A national grass roots movement too raise public awareness about media’s impact on children, help foster healthy media habits and create "MediaWise" communities is growing according to David Walsh, Ph.D., president of the National Institute on Media and the Family. "This is similar to the anti-tobacco movement," said Dr. Walsh, "in which public awareness was built over time and resulted in people slowly changing their attitudes and behaviors."

"People are looking for a program like this" says Mary Gale of the South Washington County Public Schools. Parents frequently ask me "how do we get this in our school?" I tell them to have their principal call the Institute. "Considering the response and interest we have seen from parents, teachers and the community, I think demand will grow for this excellent resource," says Cheri Kunshler of the St. Cloud Public Schools. "The grass roots ground swell is just beginning as more and more people discover the MediaWise Certification Program."

• Lillian C. Schmitt Elementary School
  Columbus, IN
• Milaca Elementary School
  Milaca, MN
• Minneapolis Public Schools
  Minneapolis Kids Program at Longfellow
  Minneapolis Kids Program at Richard Green
  Education Place at Lehman Center Teen Parent Program
  Minneapolis, MN
• New Life Academy
  Woodbury, MN
• St. Cloud Public Schools District Wide Program
  St. Cloud, MN
• St. Maria Goretti School
  Long Beach, CA
• South Washington County Schools
  East Metro Twin Cities, MN
• Whigham Elementary School
  Cairo, GA

More than 9 in 10 parents feel the program should be continued at their children's school. 95% of parents say the program opened up discussions with their children about selecting TV shows or video games. Children reported weekly TV watching decreased by 1.3 hours.

The MediaWise Certification Program provides age-appropriate lessons for grades K-6 about media to increase student interest in reading and to promote respectful behaviors. It includes teacher, parent and adult education training, classroom activities and celebration materials to acknowledge success. It is available to schools and organizations for $995. Individual components for customized programming may also be purchased. Get all the details by calling 1-888-672-5437 or visiting: www.mediafamily.org/store/mwcp/index.shtml.

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.