Advertising for Kids

No weigh what children be doing, they ar al shipway surrounded by advertisements. Whether it is watching video, Reading a book/magazine, or browsing the internet advertisements ar all(prenominal)where. Eric Schlosser has a good point when he argues in his essay fool Kustomers that to a greater extent(prenominal) advertisements are being directed towards children each day. It is not only directed toward children, unless influencing children to supplicate their parents for products they do not need or even want. As in, the stuff they see on tv are not essentials for life. Children want them simply because they look cool. Schlosser explains how in the 1980s parents felt bad for difference their children at home all day without spending any quality time with them, so they started purchase them good toys, clothes, or whatever else they wanted to make up for this (519). Prior to this, thither were only a handful of companies that tar contributeed children, and now almost ever y company is. For example, Schlosser describes a choose published in 1991 from the journal of the American Medical Association stating, nearly all of Americas six-year-olds could identify Joe Camel, who was just as familiar to them as Mickey Mouse (520).Schlosser later explains one-third of the illegal cigarettes sold to minors were Camel. However, more recently, there pitch been surveys conducted throughout the malls of America petition children to describe every detail they could about their favorite advertisements. One marketer explained, Its not just getting the kids to whine, its giving them a specific reason to ask for the product (520). The marketer simply means, the advertisers goal is to make children to want the product. The product has to be loud, colorful, and interesting or they need to be able to do close tothing with it to make them want it.For example, the study reason out the talking Chihuahua in the Taco Bell ads were the most popular out of the fast food ad s, but the most popular out of all the ads was the ad for Budweiser. To add to the idea of marketers surveying children in the study in the previous paragraph, Schlosser uses the book Kids as Costumers by James U. McNeal as a source. McNeal describes the polar ways of nagging children pass oning do towards their parents in arrange to get what they want or to get their way.In order for children to do so, advertisers found a way to learn the childrens interest by studying their lives, whence putting the information into the advertisements (521-522). For instance, imagine a marketer discovered children who are girls enjoy watching television shows about fairies and/or play computer games that involve a cute animal mascot the marketer will then somehow to put those subjects in an advertisement, young girls would want that product. After mentioning the different studies, Schlosser then explains how meliorate advertisements are more directed towards children.He ends the essay on a s trong not by explaining how the Walt Disney confederation signed a contract with McDonalds. Schlosser states, Now you can buy a Happy Meal at the Happiest Place on Earth (526). By McDonalds and Disney combining, children are more likely to beg to their parents to go to Disney World. Eric Schlosser mentions some interesting points in the essay. He is correct when he states that advertisements are harshly aimed toward children. Reviewing back at the advertisements I recollect seeing as a kid, when I about 10 years old, I remember looking at the advertisements and seeing amny items that caught my attention and interests.These interests were the following drinks, toys, movies, new TV shows, and clothes. It makes me reflect on my doings towards my parents when seeing such ads. While I currently arouse a younger sister, who watches cartoons, I have noticed the advertisements have declined from their original purposes. One of the declines that advertisements are played on the incorrec t TV expresss. For example, commercials for a rated PG-13 (or a higher rating movie) should not be played on a TV channel that little children watch.Today a great number of little kids have cellphones, laptops, expensive clothes, and so some(prenominal) more things children should not have, simply because they are not old enough. Cell phones are mainly used for when a person is not around anybody else young children are always around an freehanded and if something were to go wrong, the adult would know who to call. According to James U. McNeal, there are seven types of nags the pleading nag, persistent nag, forceful nag, gushy nag, sugarcoated nag, threatening nags, and pity nags. Then he describes his research discovered, kids tend to stick to one or deuce of each that prove most effective . . for their own parents (521). For example, a child could start crying in the middle of the store repeatedly saying please mom/dad until the parent either lets in. The same goes for a ch ild whom could tell their parents they are going to run away if they do not give them a certain product, but either way, it is up to the parent on whether or not they will give in to the nags. Some children perform well at figuring out which nag whole shebang best. Everybody knows children (particularly small children) love all kinds of animals. However, do we know exactly how much? A study through with(p) by Dan S.Acuff, the author of the book What Kids Buy and Why, suggests that about 80% of childrens dreams are about animals until they are the age of six (522). Also it suggests the reason why so many characters in childrens TV shows and movies have animals as their mascots. Having so, helped the advertisement groups realize they needed new mascots. There is a Character research laboratory that helps companies make these new mascots, the Youth Market System Consulting that uses, technique purports to create imaginary characters who perfectly prospect the targeted age groups lev el of cognitive and neurological development (522).However, one flaw in Schlossers argument is he does not reflect on the positive advertisements children are watching every day. He mainly mentions how children want their parents to buy them fast food and cigarettes and alcoholic beverages. Though many advertisements are attempting to get children to buy healthy products. For example, I have seen from the TV my younger sister watches, some commercials are about getting out of the house and playing outside with friends. With this commercial, children will get excited to get out of the house and play with outdoor toys, getting exercise, and interacting with other children.Another commercial on the Disney Channel there was an advisement with Michelle Obama telling children to eat healthier and she while gave diet tips. Not only does this advertisement have a popular person in it, but that popular person is the Presidents wife. Having her in the ad influences the children to have excite ment because they are doing something the Presidents wife wants. In addition, this advertisement has children asking their parents for healthier food choices around the house and they will rely the diet tips to their parents.In addition, there are many other commercials on Disney Channel about going green and recycling. On the other hand, there are Above the Influence commercials that express to children that drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and doing drugs are a bad habit, but they always have the option to say no. Without advertisements like these, children would not be as well ameliorate as they are about it now. These types of advertisements make children ask questions to parents, teachers, and older siblings about what is considered right and wrong and the different types of foods that should be in the house.This also helps children focus on more than the TV or computer. In all, some(prenominal) points can be made about whether or not advertisements positively or negati vely cloak kids, or if they are making people buy more products. I believe most advertisements do have a negative effect on children and there should be laws in place to bound this from getting worse. However, in the end Eric Schlosser has declared many points to suggest that his study is correct. He has many sources which proves his acquaintance about this topic prior to writing about it.In addition, he orders the essay really well by stating his opinion then backing it up with facts. The only thing he does not preform do in his essay, is explaining and expanding on the other side. Other than that, the essay is good and has made myself pay more attention to whom the advertisement is aimed toward. Works Cited Schlosser, Eric. Kid Kustomers. From Inquiry to Academic Writing. 2nd ed. Ed. Stuart Green and April Lidinsky. Boston Bedford/ St. Martins, 2012. 519-527. Print.