So Much Media, So Little Attention

As U.S. children are exposed to 8 1/2 hours of TV, video games, computers and other media a day - often at once - are they losing the ability to concentrate? A Kaiser Family Foundation media study conducted this month found no definitive answers to the question, but did note that teachers and school psychologists have indicated that it has become harder over the last 10 years to keep kids' attention. Because children seem to be more attuned to distractions around them - including new media, such as instant messaging, iPods, and video games - their attention spans are not as good as they used to be.

Seeking more research and more definitive answers, legislation was introduced in the Senate this month that would spend a total of $100 million over the next six years to research how electronic media affect children's development.

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