> the issue of the use of Ronald mc D in adverts, raises the quetion of
> adverts and children in general. What about the adverts clearly aimed
> at children, for crisps ( High fat/salt content) chocolate sweets and
> of course alchopops ? what about the ethics involved here ? why have
> not these areas been targeted ? What do you mean by 'why have not these areas been targeted?'
Many organisations do target these concerns (Partents for Safe Food, The Food Commision etc).
The ethics are fairly obvious - so obvious in fact that several European countries have laws that prohibit such advertising, and some
prohibit any advertising during childrens TV programmes.
Children often can't tell the differences between fiction (adverts) and reality. This may not matter when the fiction is for entertainment, but when it aims to sell them a product by exploiting their gullible and innocent nature than there is clearly a problem.
Many companies deliberatly target children (I believe McDonald's is quoted as targeting 2 to 8 year olds). Many companies exploit children desire to collect things (Happy Meal toys spring to mind, as do figures/cards in breakfast cereal packets). Others exploit children wish to 'belong'. All such techiniques are deplorable - but many parents do not realise - perhaps because they are themselves putty in the hands of the corporate advertsing machine.
None.
