Common Sense Media CEO Jim Steyer to Participate in U.S. Senate Decency Forum Today in Washington, DC; Steyer Urges Senate to Give Kids a Choice and a Voice; Kids Now Spend Nearly 45 hours a Week With Media.

WASHINGTON -- Today at a forum on Capitol Hill, Jim Steyer, CEO and Founder of Common Sense Media, will speak to members of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee when they convene an Open Forum on Decency focused on examining video and audio entertainment.

Invited to participate, Steyer said: "I welcome the opportunity to speak out for kids who now spend nearly 45 hours a week watching TV, playing video games, downloading music and chatting on the Internet. That's more time than they spend at school or with their parents. In fact, media is not just an occasional family babysitter; it has become the other parent."

The timing of the Forum is opportune as news stories over the weekend reported the mad shopping rush of parents trying to buy some of the most in demand video game systems for their kids this holiday season and standing in long lines to see the new Hollywood movie blockbusters.

"Parents should pause before racing out to buy the latest electronic toy for their kids," said Steyer, "and find out what is the right gadget, video game or movie for their kids. Media is fun, but finding age appropriate media is key for parents."

Steyer founded Common Sense Media, a non-partisan, not for profit organization, nearly three years ago as a consumer information based organization to help parents and kids navigate through today's often overwhelming world of media. The centerpiece of Steyer's organization is its website, www.commonsensemedia.org, which provides latest media research news and trustworthy media reviews on movies, TV, books, videogames, music and websites. Today, Common Sense Media has 3 million regular users.

"Media is very much a public health issue for kids in America. Repeatedly, studies have shown that some media can affect the social, physical and emotional well being of our kids," said Steyer. "So let's take a closer look at the messages our kids are getting every day."

Kids and Media Facts:

--A recently released study by the Kaiser Family Foundation reported sex on television has nearly doubled since 1998.

--Other studies show that the average American child will see 40,000 commercials each year; 80% of which are for fast food, candy and toys.

--A pre-schooler's risk of obesity jumps 6% for every hour of TV watched per day and 31% if the TV is in their bedroom.

--Nearly 2 out of 3 television shows contains violence averaging 6 violent acts per hour.

--83% of young people have a video console in their bedrooms and 87% of boys under the age of 17 have played Mature rated games that are often ultra violent and contain sexually offensive scenes.

--In addition, repeated studies have found that exposure to violence in media increases aggressive behavior.

Background:

Jim Steyer is the CEO and Founder of Common Sense Media. He is the author of the book, "The Other Parent: The Inside Story of the Media's Effect on Our Children," the first in-depth look at the effects of media on today's kids. He is a widely respected child advocate and entrepreneur and serves as a lecturer at Stanford University.