FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2005 |
Contact:
Darin Broton, 952-851-7286
Jason Sprenger. 952-851-1602
Tunheim Partners |
Statement from Dr.
David Walsh, president and founder of the National Institute
on Media and the Family
(AURORA, IL) - Dr. David Walsh, president
and founder of the National Institute on Media and the
Family and author of the best-selling book on teenagers,
WHY Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the
Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen, issued
the following statement at today's signing of the Safe
Games Illinois Act:
"The National Institute on Media and
the Family is pleased that our work resulted in the Entertainment
Software Rating Board revoking the M-rating for Grand
Theft Auto: San Andreas and that major retailers pulled
this video game from their shelves," said Dr. Walsh.
"Our confirmation that pornographic content was available
on Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas makes the need
to educate parents; establish policy to protect children;
and fund research about children and media more important
than ever. It also is time for a rating system fully independent
of the video game industry. Only then, will parents have
the information they need to make wise media choices for
their children."
"I appreciate that Governor Blagojevich
and other leaders are taking steps to ensure our children
can enjoy good video games, while avoiding those harmful
games that are, unfortunately, easily accessible to kids
today," said Dr. Walsh.
"The National Institute on Media and
the Family will actively support legislation that funds
and/or promotes the education, communication, and research
on issues regarding children and media," added Dr.
Walsh.
The National Institute on
Media and the Family is the world's leading and most respected
research-based organization on the positive and harmful
effects of media on children and youth. The National Institute
on Media and the Family is an independent, nonpartisan,
nonsectarian, and nonprofit organization that is based
on research, education, and advocacy. Its MediaWise®
movement is being adopted in communities throughout the
country to help families make wiser media choices and
encourage parents to "Watch What their Kids Watch."
For more information, please visit www.mediafamily.org
and www.mediafamily.org
on the Web or call 1-888-672-5437.
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