This is from the February 1st edition of a local newspaper called "24 Hours."

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"Although thousands of miles seperate us from the avian flu, news of a possible global pandemic is winging its way into children's psyches.

This viral assault is the latest in a deluge of menacing possibilities that confront children, leaving some emotionally wounded.

Although there have been cases of human to human transmission of the deadly H5N1 virus, the recent growing outbreak in Turkey has unleashed fears of global chaos if the virus mutates.

For some children, fears can remain for years.

'Our brains hold on to traumatic memories in a nearly indelible fashion,' says Dr. Joanne Cantor, adding delaying exposure to the most frightening things is a good idea. Children have a greater capacity to deal with their fears when they are older.

Cantor, professor emerita at the University of Wisconsin, specialises in the impact of media on children, particularly the effects of violence on children and other disturbing images, and is the author of the parenting book, Mommy, I'm Scared: How TV and Movies Frighten Children and What We Can Do To Protect Them.

TV news is not designed for child consumption: 'It is designed to attract the largest number of adult viewers by being vividly visual and sensational,' says Cantor. 'WE learn about so many threats on TV that never actually happen and many more thant happened somewhere but have no possibility - or very little probability - of affecting the viewer.'

Mel Levine, author of Ready Or Not, Here Life Comes, agrees.

'Statistically, the likelihood of something bad happening is so small - the likelihood of something good happening is so much greater. Parents need to foster optimism and constantly emphasize the rewarding and positive side of life, and the wonderful oppurtunities out there,' says Levine."