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Children And Television Commercials;

Children and Television Commercials 1



Children and Television Commercials;
Should they be so closely tied.
Matthew Shelton
Western International University
COM 110-Effective Persuasive Writing
Kirk Fontenot
August 28, 2005

Children and Television Commercials 2
Children and Television Commercials;
Should they be so closely tied?
Are your children becoming the target of today's "BIG BUSINESS"? There doesn't seem to be a good time to watch television with your children. Whether its Saturday morning cartoons or Sunday night football, the constant bombardment of controversial television commercials is all around us. As father of two young children, ages three and five, I have noticed that today's big business companies have targeted my children as consumers.
It's hard not to notice the non-stop flood of commercials that are aimed directly at children. These commercials encourage today's children to purchase all types of unhealthy food items, as well as toys and clothing. Not only are these food items full of fat and sugar, I can not go to a toy store or clothing store without my children asking specifically for items promoted through television commercials. My children have even asked for certain types of fast food restaurant to receive a desired happy meal toy.
Food products are the most commonly advertised item during peak hours of children's TV watching. A study of broadcasting during the peak hours of children's television watching found that 16% of the time was consumed with ads. Almost half of the ads were related to food (food products, restaurants, and beverages). The nutritional contents of the foods advertised weren't good. Almost 70% of the foods advertised were high in sugar, 40% were high in fat, and 20% high in salt. About 9% of the foods advertised were classified as healthy (low in sugar, fat, and salt). (Pediatrics for parents 1997)

Children and Television Commercials 3
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