ADS

Many teens today spend hours in front of the television, and as a result they see many ads. TV is full of programs and commercials that depict risky behaviors such as sex and substance abuse as cool, fun, and exciting. And often, there's no discussion about the consequences of drinking alcohol, doing drugs, smoking cigarettes, and having premarital sex.

Some people may try and argue that many children don't see the ads on tv, but according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF):

1. two-thirds of infants and toddlers watch a screen an average of 2 hours a day

2. kids under age 6 watch an average of about 2 hours of screen media a day, primarily TV and videos or DVDs

3. kids and teens 8 to 18 years spend nearly 4 hours a day in front of a TV screen and almost 2 additional hours on the computer (outside of schoolwork) and playing video games

Big corporations that make their money from ads that help sell their products, should take into consideration the effects their ads could have. Yes, it may be considered good marketing and make their company big bucks, but is the money worth the long term effects it could have on the young children in our world?

The youth of today make up our future society now, better yet, they are a major part of our society. If they weren't people wouldn't study young teens and children like we saw in the movie "The Merchant of Cool."

Yes--some ads are good. Lately, there have been many ads about smoking, trying to get the message out there that smoking kills and is very deadly. But, what about all the sexual images our children are seeing? Such as Victoria Secret ads telling out girls what sexy is? That to be beautiful they must promote their body to the word.

Before we say what is accceptable to be shown through ads, let us stop and think beyond our personal desires--and think about the effetcs it could have on the world we live in as a whole.