Consumers Digest

Should all advertising aimed at young children be banned?

For the fact its predatory and preys on kids immaturity not to realise what they are being sold. This talks about a study showing how brands are ingrained into childrens minds from a young age to make them automatically recognise it http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2009/11/brands-leave-their-mark-on-childrens.html There was a study done in 1991 that showed more 5 and 6 year olds could recognise Joe Camel than Mickey Mouse and that Camel was the most common brand sold to underage smokers illegally. Fast food ads targeted at children lead some of the biggest consumers of fast food to be children. Do you think it is immoral to target children in this way and use the now commonly cradle-to-grave techniques marketing companies use in an attempt to sell its product for life?

Public Comments

1. No, it shouldn't be banned. If parents don't like those brands then they don't have to purchase that stuff for their kids. If teens are being targeted, and as a teen I can say that some indeed are, then that's on them.
2. Ads for cigarettes, alcohol, etc. aimed at kids should certainly be banned, but I think stretching out to all products aimed at children would be overstepping, and also would likely be overturned on a legal challenge, as it would restrict free speech. Products such as toys, fast food etc. should be allowed to be advertised towards children, but it's up to parents to ensure that their kids don't eat fast food all the time and don't get spoiled with every toy they want. It's actually an opportunity for good lessons for kids; that you should save for things you really want and not buy the things you don't need, and that you should eat healthy and not just what looks good. Unfortunately, many parents in America are failing, and our kids are becoming obese and materialistic, but that's not necessarily the advertisers fault.
3. Otto, you should know better, nothing must get in the way of more money! You're right, unbridled advertising aimed at children is akin to brainwashing. Kids cannot comprehend commercial messages, yes it's immoral to exploit their vulnerability and inexperience. I think it's a great disservice we're doing to kids, allowing greedy advertisers to commercialise childhood. We are teaching them to weigh happiness using materialistic standards, that is not right!