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N. Bay Lecture Targets Kids Hooked On New Media

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Mar 9, 2009 8:51 am US/Pacific

N. Bay Lecture Targets Kids Hooked On New Media

ROHNERT PARK (BCN) ―

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Getting young students away from computer, cell and television screens and out into nature is the subject of a lecture Thursday at Sonoma State University.

Rocky Rohwedder, professor of Environmental Studies and Planning, said studies 10 years ago determined the typical 8- to 13-year-old in the United States spent more than 40 hours a week looking at a screen, excluding homework time.

He believes chances are good those hours have significantly increased in the past 10 years since the advent of MySpace, YouTube, Facebook, Halo, Twitter and Wii.

He cites research that finds solid links connecting excessive media use, obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Those conditions and disorders subside when children explore, learn and play outside, Rohwedder says.

He will be joined by ethnobotanist Kathleen Harrison and Craig Anderson, executive director of Landpaths, who work to connect students with outdoor classrooms.

The discussion is at SSU's Environmental Technology Center between 4 and 6 p.m.