Dr. Kathleen Clarke-Pearson

r. Clarke-Pearson is a former elementary school teacher and general pediatrician who practices pediatrics in Chapel Hill and Southern Pines, North Carolina. She has a longstanding interest in the effects of media violence on the health of children and adolescents. In 1995 she founded the North Carolina Coalition for Pulling the Plug on Media Violence. This organization worked with 35 statewide advocacy groups and the Governor’s office to encourage parents to closely monitor their children’s television and movie choices for violent content and discouraged viewing of such programs. Parents were educated about the negative health effects of watching violent media on children including increased aggressive behavior and attitudes, fear of becoming a victim of violence, and, for some children, sleep problems secondary to witnessing violent acts on TV. Dr. Clarke-Pearson is currently a member of the executive committee of the AAP Council on Media and Communications. She is also the chairperson of the NC Pediatric Society’s Committee on Media. Both organizations work to encourage pediatricians to talk about the many other adverse effects of too much media/technology immersion on tots, tweens’, and teens’ health. These include exposure to violence, explicit and subtle sexual references, alcohol and tobacco advertising, excessive sedentary behavior and effects on attention, language development, and family life. Dr. Clarke-Pearson’s ongoing interactions with parents have clarified their desire for support from their pediatricians in helping them navigate the expanding media landscape and establish a balanced approach