National Institute on Media and Family Takes Media Safety Message to Search Institute

The National Institute on Media and the Family (NIMF) spent 13 years (1996-2009) informing the public about media safety. In January 2010, the financially struggling organization was absorbed by the Search Institute, a Minneapolis, Minn.-based non-profit organization devoted to helping kids reach their potential as caring, healthy and responsible adults. The Search Institute bought the NIMF trademarks and pledged to continue the mission of helping parents "watch what their kids watch" in an effort to seek greater media safety.

The NIMF came under criticism from the National Parent Teacher Association in 2005 after it issued a scathing report on the Entertainment Software Rating Board's ratings system for video games. NIMF's founder, psychologist David Walsh, coined the term "killography" (a play on the word pornography) in order to describe what the NIMF considered inappropriate violence in video games. The NIMF denied it sought to play the role of censor, but the Entertainment Software Association and NIMF remained at odds.

This kind of political infighting among groups ostensibly created to ensure greater media safety for kids is an example of why it's so important for parents to take a firmer hand in guiding their kids' TV, video game and Internet habits. While non-profit, non-sectarian organizations like the NIMF might publish useful guidelines, parents who are serious about exerting control over their kids' screen time must not limit themselves to conventional wisdom. Every household is unique, which is why parents should use every tool available to help ensure their kids learn healthy electronic entertainment habits.

Fortunately, media safety in the confines of the household became a lot simpler to achieve with the advent of the Mikko Que. This revolutionary device allows parents to preset the time of day and the amount of time their kids can devote to every form of electronic entertainment in the house. Kids can activate the TV, video game or computer with a personalized TimeKey burned using a standard USB drive. When the time runs out, the screen shuts off. It's that simple to achieve peace of mind when it comes to media safety. Contact Mikko USA to learn more.

Media Management for Children ... It's time.