Should companies be allowed to market to children?

Haven't noticed much discussion going on in the forums for a bit, so thought I'd start a little one off... got plenty of topics to discuss :P

For a while now, companies were banned from marketing products towards children... Do you think they should be allowed again?

I honestly don't see why not... Ultimately it's the parent that decides whether or not they buy the advertised product for their child, and I don't see why it shouldn't be appealing to the child...

Thoughts?

Thread moved here by Bolt660 (Acting Forum Super Moderator): From 'Discuss Anything' as its more suited here.

hmmmm i think no because this would increase the pressure on the parents to buy things for their child that they want because if the child sees something that is marketed towards them and wants it, they would probably nag their parents until it's bought for them. also, they can be easily misled.

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Originally Posted by Paige.

hmmmm i think no because this would increase the pressure on the parents to buy things for their child that they want because if the child sees something that is marketed towards them and wants it, they would probably nag their parents until it's bought for them. also, they can be easily misled.

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That's down to the parents to be strict then.

Yes and no..

Yes they should be able to advertise towards children as this can help sale boosts as children will be able to ask their parents to buy these products. A lot of adverts unintentionally attract children anyways so i don't see what the difference would be if they were allowed to do it. If parents do not want their child to have this product, it is simply too expensive (young kids don't really understand that you have to buy things with money and they want everything) etc etc, then they should say no and explain to the child why he can not get this product so that the child understands instead of going in a mood about it. Adverts on tv are also no different to the posters and advertisements within kids magazines that children will see and make them want the product advertised.

No because this could make children go to their parents and keep nagging them, i know these parents should be strict however some children just don't give up when they are told no - my mum is a childminder so i know all about children ignoring the word no. Even though it would benefit companies more, is right to "use" children in order to get their parents money whilst they are sat watching sponge bob square pants or postman pat (or w.e rubbish children's TV is on these days)??

Sam

A company should be allowed to market to whomever it wants, simple as that.

Ironic that the state pretends to care about children being corrupted or taken advantage of by private companies when the state is the one that teaches sexual acts (including certain controversial sexual relations) to children in primary school - as well as teaching about abortion and all other twisted nonsense such as the concept that certain dangerous gateway drugs are 'ok' that certainly shouldn't be taught to primary school children let alone senior school children.

Children need to be protected from the state if anything.

No, some people shouldn't be allowed to reproduce because they're incapable of learning basic parenting skills.

They should be able to. Parents have control of the purse strings and ultimately decide what to buy their children. If they do not have the control and easily fall for their child's desires, they probably shouldn't be parents. It's as simple as that. It does depend on what is being marketed, as it has to suit children, but other than that there's no reason not to. Again, it falls to the responsibility of the parent.

Pester power hmm

I can see why it isn't allowed - children are very easy to convince afterall. Having said that, if the children are going to use the toys, surely they should get to say whether they like the look of them..

Should be allowed as long as ALL the information given to the children is 100% factually correct.

Aslong as it doesn't advertise anything sexual then yeah ofc. Like advertising batman toys to children is great in my opinion. It allows children to prepare their xmas list haahahaha

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Originally Posted by e5

That's down to the parents to be strict then.

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that's easy for anyone to say and whether the parents are strict or not, they'll still be put under pressure and stress

It's only a few toys though. the parents still dont have to buy it, or they use other methods to convince their children otherwise.

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Originally Posted by Paige.

that's easy for anyone to say and whether the parents are strict or not, they'll still be put under pressure and stress

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Originally Posted by e5

It's only a few toys though. the parents still dont have to buy it, or they use other methods to convince their children otherwise.

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it's not only a few toys to small children. once they want something, it's not easy to just say no cause they're not just gunna be like ''oh, okay then''. the parents wouldn't have to use other methods to convince their children to not want it if the product wasn't luring them in anyway and that's why i think companies should target the parents when advertising because they're the ones that buy it or not.

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Originally Posted by Paige.

it's not only a few toys to small children. once they want something, it's not easy to just say no cause they're not just gunna be like ''oh, okay then''. the parents wouldn't have to use other methods to convince their children to not want it if the product wasn't luring them in anyway and that's why i think companies should target the parents when advertising because they're the ones that buy it or not.

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These are eight year old children, I highly doubt that they've mastered the skill of manipulation yet.

Of course companies "should be allowed" to market to children, they're selling these toys to make money and that's what they're doing. Marketing childrens' toys to adults would not be as effective because these toys don't appeal to adults and they wouldn't really appeal to children anymore either if the advertisement isn't targeted at them.

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Originally Posted by Adam

No, some people shouldn't be allowed to reproduce because they're incapable of learning basic parenting skills.

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and because there ugly

I think they should be allowed but there should be some restrictions, like with fast food etc.

Yeah, I was sort of meaning toys and things

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Originally Posted by JACKTARD

I think they should be allowed but there should be some restrictions, like with fast food etc.

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Originally Posted by e5

That's down to the parents to be strict then.

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Do you know how annoying it is when a child doesn't shut up about something? I can easily see why parents give in.

But anyhows, I see nothing wrong with it. Our generation grew up around and we turned out alright.

depends on the products, children are valuable decision makers too

At the end of the day its never going to change because its too good an opportunity for companies.

If parents are that bothered they should just make sure the children are aware. While obviously not always, usually the ones that do go on and on to get what they want are because they don't have proper boundaries set by their parents.