We all know about the Pokemon madness which invaded France. Children no longer drop their console or their cards and do not miss a single episode of the cartoon. However, this worldwide success was a major setback. In 1997, 618 Japanese teenagers were hospitalized after watching an episode of the adventures of Pikachu. A succession of lightning had caused crises called photosensitive epilepsy. This situation can it appear today in France?
Remember, it was Tuesday, December 16, 1997. More than half of Japanese youth awaiting episode 37 of their favorite series: the Pokemon. After 20 minutes, the scene of the cartoon unfolds: Pikachu deck his opponent with a succession of flashes red and blue. And there is drama: 11 000 Japanese teenagers are victims of ailments, 618 must be hospitalized due to seizures of convulsions.
Flashes of light
Immediately after the Pokemon incident, a battery of experts (pediatricians, psychiatrists, neurologists …) gather to understand. Their explanation was soon all these children were suffering from a form of epilepsy called photosensitive. This particular form of epilepsy for a 20. About 0.5 to 0.8% of children aged 4 to 14 years would be involved. The mechanisms triggering seizures are still poorly understood. According to Italian scientists, this problem can be explained by an inability of the brain to control his reactions when the eye is subjected to flashing lights or alternating high-contrast images. These researchers have also highlighted the fact that crises are triggered when the frequency of flashes is between 4 and 14 Hertz.
Risk Warning
Thus, these crises can occur only among people with existing predispositions. In children with epilepsy, the photosensitive character can be assessed by electroencephalogram (EEG). But sometimes this form escapes detection. However, many people are unaware they are suffering from photosensitive epilepsy and may discover it during a game or a television. Regarding video games, in fact, manufacturers are now obliged to include a warning about the risk of occurrence of seizures. But what precautions are taken to television programs, including those for youth?
Nintendo exonerated?
Asked about this, Nintendo, inventor of Pokemon, denies any responsibility in cases of epilepsy that hit Japan. In this case, the company said it has not participated in the design of the cartoon. If there is fault, it relates to both the producer, who would have control of the cartoon made, and the chain (Tokyo Channel), which would verify the program before broadcast. At Nintendo, we are assured that we take all precautions necessary. The company said it was the first to include warnings to prevent epilepsy in his videogames.
All episodes verified by TF1
It is thus the broadcaster to control himself its programs. It seems indeed, since the accident in Japan, all channels verify their content. This is confirmed Poussier, Program Director of Youth TF1 channel which broadcasts the Pokemon cartoon: “As soon as we receive a new series, we undergoes a series of tests designed to protect spectators. First Several people from the Youth team will view every episode. Then, three psychologists also watch the series. These two checks to detect any problem with editorial content. Finally, our technical services also check the episodes they are capable of detecting sequences likely to trigger photosensitive seizures. We are particularly vigilant with regard to the Japanese series. For the Pokemon cartoon, I personally asked the distributor to send us all the tapes to verify, before taking the decision to buy. Anyway, the series had already been vetted by the Japanese and American scientists. Moreover, the episode had been a problem had been removed.”
Stop watching TV?
For a child who suffers from photosensitive epilepsy, so there is no a priori risk facing a cartoon. Of course the risk to zero would not turn on the television, which advises Jacqueline Beaussart, president Aispace (Acting, inform and educate the public to improve understanding of epilepsy): “You can not prevent a child watching television. This would put in a situation of exclusion vis-à-vis its peers that they have access. It should just be vigilant and follow a few rules of precautions such as minimum distance to the position and adequate lighting.”
Clearly it is easier to set up some rules rather than proscribe television, especially if they forbid him to watch Pokemon: parents are no match for Pikachu …
Tags: brain, children, Epilepsy, japan, photosensitive epilepsy, pikachu, pokemon, teenager
