McDonald’s advertising to children: Is it ethical?

McDonald’s spend more than $2 billion on advertising each year. The company realized a long time ago that it is not adults who bring their children, but children who bring their parents to the restaurant. It is really hard for parents to say “no” to their kid especially now when parents are busy working and do not spend enough time with their children. McDonald’s system of attracting customers through children is developed very well: playgrounds for children, celebration of birthdays for a very good price, handing out little bonuses to kids, standing in a queue with their mothers, attention and tolerance of the staff.

McDonald’s Commercial 2013

The best attraction for children is the famous Happy Meal, which in addition to the regular Burger, french fries and drink includes a collectible toy. And all of this is wrapped in a colorful box, and kids love when they have their own personal food in a personal box. Toys are most often produced in sets, and if the child likes the set, then it is possible that parent will have to buy the whole set, which means 8 times go to McDonald’s.The happy clown Ronald McDonald is almost the most recognizable fictional character among children. By popularity it is second after Santa Claus. Clown meets guests at the entrance to the restaurants, screens in advertising, visits sick children in hospitals.

The only question is: Is it ethical to target fast food advertising to children? Everyone knows that eating at McDonald’s is not healthy as the food is high in salt, fat, calories and sugar. Children are influenced most by advertising and the company just use this fact to make more profits and do not think about children’s health. McDonald’s does not stop its children targeted advertising even now when more and more kids across the world suffer from obesity.

Links:

http://www.coloribus.com/adsarchive/prints/mcdonalds-baby-bun-4983155/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKlHZ_mQm34

http://business-ethics.com/2011/05/31/1441-marketing-to-children-accepting-responsibility/

 

September 23, 2013Permalink 18 Comments

18 thoughts on “McDonald’s advertising to children: Is it ethical?

  1. this not very good as we all want to go there but adults have to go and they will have food as well this encourage kids to eat unhealthy foods

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