Report: TV, Internet harm kids

By Liz Szabo

"Parents and policymakers need to take action to protect children from being harmed by TV, the Internet and other types of media, a report says."

"Researchers have done individual studies for years to learn how media affect children. A review released today, which analyzed 173 of the strongest papers over 28 years, finds that 80% agree that heavy media exposure increases the risk of harm, including obesity, smoking, sex, drug and alcohol use, attention problems and poor grades..."

"Michael Brody, a child psychiatrist at the University of Maryland who also was not involved in the study, says the country needs to address the onslaught of negatives images. He says children today have greater exposure to...Internet 'hate sites' that attack minorities..."

Full article available at http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-12-01-media_N.htm