Ethics Associated With Marketing To Children

Advertisements seem to engulf consumers and light the vibrant cities at every corner. Everywhere a person looks they are bombarded with the false testimonials and glamorous gadgets. Since these sometimes flashy and deceiving advertisements plaque a person's daily life, a child is easily susceptible due to their naive and absorbent and persuadable minds. These ads can be used both in a way to better society or the pockets that create them. Discussing the ethics that are associated with marketing to children, the commercial or ad must not deceive the child. As a child is growing, they feel the need to fit in and “advertising manipulates them through their insecurities”(Beder). This hideous truth is also illustrated in the cartoon where the child uses the term “Normal People” which seems to curse society(cartoon). In these two sources, it argues that children will easily find themselves exposed to advertising in a hindering way. Not only can these “normal situations” allow a child to

A child will feel encouraged to eat a well balanced diet if they are exposed to it early. marketing agencies can do this by “creating a[n]...environment that supports...healthy eating”(FTC). How do we know that marketing these issues make a difference though? In research reporting on the effects of the “KNOW HIV/AIDS” program, “respondents who reported exposure...said…[it] had influenced their plans…[such as] getting tested for HIV”(Brooks-Gunn and Donahue). This study shows that a marketing campaign rewards a child and increases healthy choices. If a company enhanced their ads with a positive position on a growing issue, it will allow a child to expand their paradigm and discern whether an ad is trying to make the audience misinterpret the truth. Henceforth, a child can also be benefited by the advertising if it mentions a healthy alternative and does not present