Indiana Jones and the inescapable ads
Scholastic book tie-ins are about careers in archeology, not marketing
Media Education 2.0: A One-Day Teach-In
June 5, Minneapolis Sponsored by the Action Coalition for Media Education
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About Parents for Ethical Marketing
Consumer marketing is everywhere. On television. In magazines and newspapers. On the Internet and on school buses. On billboards and on bus shelters. On milk cartons and cereal boxes.
In our public schools.
And it's almost impossible to buy anything for a child without a “brand identity.” Barbie, for example, can be found on everything from band-aids to board games to backpacks.
As parents, we know there's a problem. We argue with our kids about what to buy, what to wear, what to watch and what to play. We know what is best for our kids, yet sometimes we give in when we know we shouldn't.
But consider:
- Materialistic children are more depressed, more anxious, and have lower self-esteem than those who are not as involved in the consumer culture. (Source)
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under two should not watch television because it can harm early brain development; still giants like Disney market videos aimed at parents of newborns. (Source)
- Corporations appeal to children’s natural desire to be older by marketing “grown-up” products to younger kids. Girls as young as six are sexualized by dolls, clothing, and television, leading to eating disorders, depression, low self-esteem, and unrealistic expectations about sexuality as adults. (Source)
- A child’s exposure to advertising is linked to family stress (Source); yet corporate marketers spend at least $17 billion a year to market to children. (Source)
Of course, parents are ultimately responsible for raising healthy children. But corporate marketers would have us believe that combating their damaging commercial messages is exclusively our problem
Parents for Ethical Marketing thinks it’s about time that corporations take some of the responsibility.
Through parental awareness, public pressure, and legislative initiatives, Parents for Ethical Marketing encourages corporations to adopt responsible marketing standards and practices that sustain the health of children and families.
What is ethical marketing?
- Ethical marketing targets only consumers who can perceive and understand the persuasive tactics in commercials.
- Ethical marketing promotes products that are not harmful to children.
- Ethical marketing supports strong families by respecting parental authority in the parent-child relationship.
Join us as we encourage corporations to act ethically and responsibly.