Reply #43: I would support some regulation [View All]

[OhioBlue]

As I read through the thread, and we focused on TV commercials, I tend to agree with those that make the point that parents can find alternative media or simply tell their children "no" when they beg for a brand of cereal, fast food, etc. I would however be in favor of limiting content of such commercials - companies can run a regular advertisement showing children playing with or eating their product... but make sure there are boundaries on what type of products and/or tactics such advertisers can use.

I also read the comments regarding the "privatization" of child hood.... I think we need to be very aware of marketing tactics. It is not only TV commercials, but embedded commercials, school sponsorships, (Pepsi recently paid 1/2 of the local HS football field's new astroturf) and make sure we don't head down a path that has our teachers looking like NASCAR drivers b/c public funds were cut but Cheerios bought new text books on the condition the teacher wore a patch and thanked them at the end of every school day, or Exxon donates some gasoline/diesel for the school buses if each school bus is painted with their logo....

So... yes, I support regulation of marketing tactics aimed at children, but not an outright ban.