Minneapolis - Citing international concerns that individual countries cannot protect their children from the dangers of cyberspace by themselves, the National Youth Commission has asked Dr. David Walsh, president of the National Institute on Media and the Family, to represent the United States at the International Conference on Youth Protection and Empowerment in Cyberspace in Seoul, South Korea.

"For the first time, academic scholars, internationally renowned experts and government officials are coming together to tackle one of the toughest issues facing youth today- dysfunctions resulting from exposure to the Internet," said Dr. Walsh. "It is an honor to have the National Institute on Media and the Family selected to play a leading role in establishing international standards for the protection of children and youth in the Internet Age. "

The conference's objectives include promoting global awareness of the need to provide: youth with a safe, sound cyberspace environment; conduct joint international surveys to determine the status of youth activities in cyberspace; and develop and share policies and educational programs to allow youth to derive a sound use of cyberspace.

Sponsored by the National Youth Commission and the Korean Institute on Youth Development, the conference will take place on September 6-8, 2006. In addition to the United States, the conference will have representatives from the following countries: South Korea, China, Japan, Singapore, Germany, England, France, Finland, Australia and Canada.

Following the international conference, the National Summit on Video Games, Youth and Public Policy will be held in Minneapolis on October 20-21, 2006.

Dr. Walsh is the national expert on the effects of media on children. He has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, NBC, CBS and ABC Nightly News shows, CNN and MSNBC.

The National Institute on Media and the Family is an independent non-partisan, non-sectarian, nonprofit organization. The Institute's mission is to maximize the benefits and minimize the harm mass media have on children through research and education. For more information, visit www.mediafamily.org.