Advertising to Children- Kid Gloves
Oct 8th, 2012 by Shahista Kassam
Our children are the future! Is this how we want them to grow?
The class discussion held on the 2nd of October on how media affects the behavior of consumers and children inspired me to research further on this topic.
Media is a big aspect of the society that projects continues sources of information. Advertisements are everywhere from our television screens to billboards, directly affecting the minds and behaviors of the young and elderly consumers. According to an article by “The Economist” there has been controversial debate on banning advertisements aimed on children.
On one hand, not every child is gullible in believing what it sees and if they are it is the teachers and parent’s responsibility to teach the children of the realities of commercial media. However, on the other hand, it is said that children are naive, therefore easily persuaded by advertisements. Statistics show that “two-thirds of infants and toddlers watch a screen an average of 2 hours a day” (KidsHealth). Television can be an excellent source of educator and entertainer for children, however too much exposure to such media at such a critical time of the human brain development can be very harmful for the children in a long run (KidsHealth). This can interfere with the activities such as being healthy, physically active, reading, playing with friends and most importantly spending time with family. These disadvantages can lead to exposure of negative information that will eventually affect behavior and actions of such kids in the coming future.
Works Cited
“Children, Adolescents, and Advertising.” Children, Adolescents, and Advertising. American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012. Web. 07 Oct. 2012. <http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/118/6/2563.full>.
“KidsHealth.” How TV Affects Your Child. The Nemours Foundation, 2012. Web. 07 Oct. 2012. <http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_affects_child.html>.
“Kid Gloves.” The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 04 Jan. 2001. Web. 07 Oct. 2012. <http://www.economist.com/node/464997>.
“MP Links Children’s Advertising and Mental Illness.” BBC News. BBC, 14 June 2012. Web. 07 Oct. 2012. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/house_of_commons/newsid_9728000/9728176.stm>.
Shah, Anup. “Children as Consumers.” Global Issues. Global Issues, 21 Nov. 2010. Web. 07 Oct. 2012. <http://www.globalissues.org/article/237/children-as-consumers>.
Picture Reference
“Understanding Advertising and Your Children.” The Better Mom. Insight Blog Design, 2012. Web. 07 Oct. 2012. <http://www.thebettermom.com/2012/05/understanding-advertising-and-your-children/>.