Earthquake disaster footage and its effects on children: Request to the media to help protect children

First, The Japanese Society of Child Neurology expresses its heartfelt condolences to all affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. It is our sincere hope that the affected regions recover as quickly as possible. The Japanese Society of Child Neurology conducts its activities for the benefits of children, the focus of our society. In this spirit, we hereby make a special request to members of the mass media. The Great East Japan Earthquake affected a large part of eastern Japan, and children, even those outside of the affected regions, experienced tremors and blackouts. We therefore believe that such children could well experience emotional trauma if exposed to news footage of destruction from the disaster. We trust that all involved in the mass media will recognize this possibility and give consideration to what children are made to see and hear. In support of this request, we would like to bring attention to those aspects of childhood that make juveniles particularly susceptible to what they see on news reports.