Advertising’s prevalence in society is what makes it such a controversial topic. The sheer amount of advertising that one encounters throughout a single day is astounding. But what effect do all of these ads have on the viewer? Studies show that advertising has a negative impact on society for several reasons such as misinformation, harmful ideals, and more.
It is not uncommon for an advertisement to stretch the truth to appeal to consumers. During the 1950s and 60s, cigarette companies would put false statements about the health benefits of cigarettes and how “9 out of 10 doctors recommend menthols!”. The harm in this sort of tactic is manifest. (Source B) Falsely marketing a product as healthy when it actually causes cancer is unsafe for consumers, and will greatly affect the lifestyle of those who choose to believe it. And though the government has ”placed regulations” on the amount of truth which ads need to uphold; companies can, and will, continue to stretch that truth to its highest extent
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In the documentary “Killing us Softly”, Jean Kilbourne elaborates on the impacts that advertisements can have on the body image of young girls. Teen girls growing up forced to look at thinly photoshopped bodies and smoothed-over skin forces them to believe that that is an image which they need to uphold. And Nancy Day remarks that buying habits established as a teen often carry on into adulthood (Source D). The unavoidableness of advertisements’ tyranny over the human mind makes a feeling of inadequacy inevitable. Moreover, in countries without sanitary water supply, powdered milk is being marketed to new mothers, therefore procuring the illness and death of many infants. And even though breastfeeding is a safer, more appropriate alternative, the marketing strategy engenders powdered formula to be a more viable option (Source F). This just one of the many detrimental consequences of