The article,
which was really interesting to read and which actually, breaks the stereotypes
is “Dangerous Advertising for Children” written Christine Hurt. We used to
believe that scary, violent or unhealthy food advertising are dangerous for
children, but the writer uncovers the new type of advertisement which is
actually not so good for them. This is – loan advertising. It does not only
load up children’s mind with unneeded information but also creates hundreds of
questions and misunderstandings in smart kid’s head. Author explains on her
daughter’s example when she asked: "When
you buy a couch, why do you have to keep paying each month?” The parents
usually try to explain such things to their children but they even do not know
how. They do not know how to explain 8 year girl the difference of paying 1000$
once or 90$ each month and the danger of bankruptcy. The author tried to
explain and examine what could child learn from such and ads and here is her
words: (1) financing ordinary consumer purchases is customary for average
buyers; (2) one should not wait to reward oneself with fun purchases when you
could take that product home today and pay later; (3) many people (portrayed by
attractive actors in nice clothes in nice living rooms) get into debt that they
cannot repay, this is OK and there is an easy way out; and (4) having bad
credit is not an obstacle that one should worry about or try to avoid.
This is a really useful article for people who concerned about influence
of advertising on the young generation minds.
