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Forum - Is aiming advertisements towards children ethical?

Is aiming advertisements towards children ethical?

Thu, 27/10/2011 - 08:43 — KR123

Hello, I am a student researching advertising and marketing aimed directly at children - how successful this is and whether or not it is ethical. I would really appreciate any answers to the following questions or simply an opinion you have on the matter.

1)  Why is advertising aimed towards children so successful?

2) Do you believe using advertising to engage young children is ethical?

3) Could you think of an example an advertisement aimed towards children has been highly disapproved of due to ethical matters?

Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for any responses.

 

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rkeirnan's picture

Just about everything made to be consumed by children is advetised to them, are children some how supposed to live in a ad free world? as we grow up we experience many things including advertising, porn, alcohol all usually before we turn 18.

At iSquareQR.com we we have a policy not to be offensive, but anyone can market to children with QR codes, our view is to keep things as clean as possible but its impossible to guarantee, the internet exposes kids to so much and they are simply having a modern growing up phase.

Mon, 28/11/2011 - 22:56 — rkeirnan
Damian McCarthy 2's picture

This depends upon what you mean by "ethical". Lets take it to mean whether it is deemed to be "right or wrong" according to our system of beliefs.

Advertising in its simplest is designed to generate sales. If advertising to children generates sales then according to our system of beliefs it is then right and so is ethical.

Why is it so successful? Perhaps, parents wish the best for their children and believe being able to buy them their wishes is one way of achieving this. A purchase of a gift for ones child may be an easy way to show love. Peer pressure is also a factor. Having the right trainers or phone creates much pressure for children and parents.

Some adverts denoting very underweight models aimed at children have been condemne for being unethical

Thu, 24/11/2011 - 08:14 — Damian McCarthy 2

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