Discussion of the amount of mental effort children invest in television viewing versus book reading focuses on a Dutch study based on Salomon's model and his studies with children in Israel and the United States. The depth of information processed is discussed, and differences in results are examined. (18 references) (LRW)

Describes a study conducted in the Netherlands that investigated the effectiveness of news stories watched on television and news stories read by students in grades five and six. Results are compared for children who expected a test and those who did not, and earlier media studies with adults are reviewed. (20 references) (LRW)