Daily Media Use Among Children and Teens Rises Dramatically

Media use by children and teens (ages 8-18) is up an hour and seventeen minutes from what it used to be 5 years ago, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation study released today. And that doesn't include texting!

This study also reveals other astonishing stats:

1. Only about 3 in 10 young people say they have rules about how much time they can spend- watching TV, playing video games, or using the computer.

2. 64% of young people say the TV is usually on during meals.

3. 71% have a TV in their bedroom.

4. 50% have video games console in their bedroom.

5. 47% of heavy media users usually get poor grades (mostly Cs and lower) while only 23% of light media users get poor grades.

6. 7th-12th graders spend an average of 1 hour and 35 minutes texting each day.

7. Because children can "media multitask", the 7+ hours a day they spend on media are equivalent to 10 hours and forty five minutes.

“The bottom line is that all these advances in media technologies are making it even easier for young people to spend more and more time with media,” said Victoria Rideout, Foundation Vice President and director of the study. “It’s more important than ever that researchers, policymakers and parents stay on top of the impact it’s having on their lives.”

Take a minute to check out this study and assess how your family's media habits are affecting your children.

Governor Brewer Declares Day of Prayer

We congratulate Governor Brewer on her declaration of January 17, 2010 as a "day of prayer for Arizona's economy and state budget."

At this difficult time in our state's history, we agree that it is appropriate to "ask for God's favor, blessing, wisdom and guidance to rest upon our state government, businesses and our citizens."

The full text of the declaration reads:

Office of the Governor

*DAY OF PRAYER FOR ARIZONA'S ECONOMY AND STATE BUDGET*

WHEREAS, throughout our national history, government leaders, including Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Governors and Congress, have called for a day of prayer to humbly ask God for His forgiveness, blessings and guidance during times of difficulty; and

WHEREAS, the unique motto of the State of Arizona, Ditat Deus - "God Enriches" - acknowledges the blessings of God; and

WHEREAS, Arizona is suffering from the severe effects of a prolonged national and state economic recession that threatens the livelihood of many of our citizens and challenges the quality of life for all citizens; and

WHEREAS, throughout this day of prayer, we ask for God's favor, blessing, wisdom and guidance to rest upon our state government, businesses and our citizens that God would guide our state government leaders to resolve the state's budget deficit, renew the vitality of our state's economy and that God would aid and empower the citizens and businesses in our state and in our nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Janice K. Brewer, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby proclaim January 17, 2010 as a

* DAY OF PRAYER FOR ARIZONA'S ECONOMY AND STATE BUDGET *

and encourage all citizens to pray for God's blessings on our State and our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Arizona

Janice K. Brewer, Governor