(MINNEAPOLIS) – While agreeing that more work remains to be done, the National Institute on Media and the Family’s board of directors, in conjunction with its founding sponsor, Fairview Health Services, has made the decision to close, effective December 31, 2009. The Institute’s board and Fairview are committed to continuing its thought-provoking work, research and advocacy through other organizations. 

“Over the past two years the Institute’s board of directors has been in strategic discussions about succession and the Institute’s evolving mission and goals,” said Dr. David Walsh, president and founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family. “The current challenging economic environment accelerated those discussions making this the right time to begin transitioning the programs to other organizations who share our mission and values.”

The Institute’s board is engaged in discussions with both national and local non-profits interested in carrying on the Institute’s programs and research.

Since its founding in 1996, the Institute has gained an international reputation as a trusted voice about the benefits and potential risks of media on children’s health, development and ability to succeed. Over the last thirteen years, the Institute has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of children and families, by conducting groundbreaking studies, pioneering innovative and effective educational programs, and providing expert advice and testimony at all levels, from local PTAs to the World Health Organization.

The Institute has been an innovative thought leader on many issues relating to children’s media habits. Most recently, it pioneered the discussion on video game addiction. 

Video Game Report Card

When the Institute opened its doors, it recognized two important facts: 1) the growing prevalence of digital technology and electronic screens in the lives of children and families and 2) the absence of research-based information and resources addressing the impact these technologies have on children’s health and development.

By partnering with elected leaders such as Senators Joe Lieberman (CT), Herb Kohl (WI) and Amy Klobuchar (MN) and providing solid scientific information to accompany the public appeal, the Institute quickly positioned itself as the sensible watchdog entity of the video game industry.

Its annual Video Game Report Card became a powerful tool to educate the public and shape industry practices. Rather than calling for censorship, the report succeeded by disseminating little-known information to the general public. The report has been credited with the following accomplishments:

• Developers adopt a video game ratings system and work to constantly improve it and promote it for greater parent understanding.
• Retailers verify the age of buyers based on the ratings system and deny sales of violent and explicit games to children under 17.
• Console makers incorporate parental controls into each of the major game console systems.

In addition to the annual report, the Institute has developed the following ground breaking programs.

Say Yes To No®

Based on Dr. Walsh’s best-selling book, the Say Yes To No campaign has engaged tens of thousands of parents across the nation in discussions about the importance of self-discipline for children’s success and happiness. With the support of the Minnesota Masonic Charities and Fairview, the Institute partnered with the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association and the Minnesota Secondary Schools Principals Association to form a coalition of leading education and parent groups hosting book reads in more than five hundred Minnesota schools. Last year the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association brought the model to their state.   

This fall the Institute launched the Say Yes to No Parenting Program that teaches parents practical strategies to raise self-disciplined and self-reliant kids.

Switch® 

A program to combat the growing childhood obesity epidemic, Switch has encouraged families to Switch what you Do™, Switch what you View™ and Switch what you Chew™. With a strong emphasis on living an active lifestyle Switch is a health and wellness program to help children learn healthy nutrition, physical activity and media habits so they can be stronger, healthier and more successful in school and life.

A recent study found that the Switch program was successful immediately and that the effects lasted six months after the program ended. Children who participated in the Switch program were eating two more servings of fruits and vegetables each week, watching two fewer hours of television and video games each week, and walked 300 more steps per day compared to children who did not participate. As would be expected, families who were more involved in the program saw greater gains. In addition, there was some evidence that the program had larger effects on children who were already obese, although it is a prevention program and not a treatment program. Ninety-seven percent of participating parents reported they would recommend the program to others.

The original Switch research project was sponsored by the Cargill Foundation, Medica Foundation and the Healthy and Active America Foundation. Since 2007, the program has expanded to 45 elementary schools in Iowa, Minnesota and North Carolina communities.

through-U® Families Become MediaWise®

As the Institute’s early childhood program, through-U provides the resources necessary for educating parents on the impact of media on children’s health, behavior, pre-literacy skills and school readiness. With a strong emphasis on reaching families in low-income neighborhoods, through-U has partnered with hundreds of early childcare centers, early childcare professionals and organizations and is able to have a powerful positive effect on the media habits of families with young children.

Dr. David Walsh will continue to be a national thought leader and will speak and write on topics related to 21st century parenting. His tenth book will be released next year published by Simon and Schuster.

“I am so grateful to Fairview and our other funders who enabled us to accomplish so much for children and families over the years,” said Walsh. “But, the work is far from finished and I look forward to transitioning the Institute’s programs to worthy organizations that I am confident will continue to educate parents and caregivers on our rapidly changing digital culture.” 

About the National Institute on Media and the Family
The National Institute on Media and the Family is an independent non-partisan, non-sectarian, non-profit organization whose mission is to maximize the benefits and minimize the harm of media on the health and development of children and families. For more information, visit www.mediawise.org on the Web or call 1-888-672-5437.

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