Impact of advertisements on children

Impact of Advertisements on Children

you are easily falling prey to the advertiser. You would not want to be an easy target!

By Pratibha Yadav 02nd Feb, 2015 | 06:22 pm

An advertisement is a great medium to help us know about a product available in the market. We as adults can decide between right and wrong; however, can a child do the same? Children are quite vulnerable, and every advertisement they see leaves an impression on their minds without them realising its persuasive nature.

Image source: graphics8.nytimes.com

Such is the vulnerability of children that they take everything at face value. Today, advertisements are directly targeted at children and easily impact their innocent minds. Visual effects and jingles are convincing enough for them to believe in the content of an advertisement.

Every advertisement has a marketing strategy; its sole aim is to leave an impact on the minds of the target audience. The visual impact of an advertisement is so high that it registers in a child’s mind within seconds. When children are convinced, they place huge demands before their parents. Sometimes, children even get down to stubborn behaviour and start nagging. Parents have no other option but to get them the product.

According to research, advertisements encourage the consumption of junk food in children. Advertisers make it seem like the junk food available in the market is healthier and a good replacement to homemade food. There soon comes a time when healthy meals prepared at home are no longer appetising enough!

Many advertisements use unsuitable content which a child should not view. These advertisements also lead to unhealthy behaviour among adolescents. Although a few countries have banned advertisements targeted at children below 12 years, parents can help in managing things which influence their children in a negative way. As a child, you can listen to what your parents have to say.

What Parents Can Do

Every parent must try and make their child aware of the hidden motives of advertisements. The mature way of dealing with children’s demands is to not refuse them directly. Children feel dejected. Hear them out! Ask them the reasons as to why they want a particular product. Explain to them whether the product is worth buying or not. Teach your child to critically analyse the product. When given a responsibility with love, children do respond in a positive way.

What Children Can Do

Your parents are reluctant on buying you a particular product; there must be a reason. Learn to see both sides of the coin. When you give in to the advertisement, you are easily falling prey to the advertiser. You would not want to be an easy target!

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