ANKARA Turkish experts have said that the cult Japanese series Pokemon incites children to violence and called on parents and the media to protect children from becoming obsessed with the cartoon characters, AFP quoted the Health Ministry as announcing Friday.
A committee of scientists had found out that Pokemon "facilitates the justification of violence, creates confusion between good and bad and impedes the perception of danger," among other negative impacts on children, the statement said, according to Anatolia news agency.
The experts' report also said that the numerous Pokemon toys and other goods led to serious economic problems for parents.
The report called for cooperation between parents and teachers to prevent the movie from becoming an obsession for children.
It also urged television channels to consult with psychologists before making decisions on the broadcast of cartoon movies for children.
A four-year-old Turkish boy suffered a broken leg in October when he jumped from the seventh floor of a building in a daredevil act inspired by the Pokemon.