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Controversial Television Advertising

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Controversial Television Advertising
Jennifer Barnhart
Kirk Miller
Comm 110
April 6th, 2006
The dangers of controversial television advertising
"I do not care if I show your child something that you would not want them to see". This seems to be what some television advertising agencies are saying to us these days. We live in a society that seems to be progressing at a rate so fast that some parents wish technology would slow down. Television is a main source of entertainment for children and adults in this day and age. With so many people viewing, advertisers are trying to capitalize on every target they can. What some parents work so hard to shield their children from; seem to be thrown in our faces by ruthless television advertisers during every commercial. Controversial …show more content…
Satellite and cable televisions now come with the capability to screen out certain channels. Every new television set sold in America since 2000 is equipped with a "V-chip", a blocking device that Bill Clinton forced on the media industry in 1996. (The Economist, December 16th, 2004). Since the FCC does not regulate any offensive material other than sexual behavior and cursing, the V-chip is the only way to block inappropriate material from coming into ones …show more content…
With children watching so much television, the amount of advertising they are being exposed to is unbelievable. Studies have shown that the average American child may view as many as 40,000 television commercials in a year's time. (National Institute on Media and the Family. July, 2002). Not only is advertising contributing to eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, but obesity in children is also linked to advertising. Most common products marketed to children are sugared cereals, candies, sweets, sodas and snack foods. Such advertising of unhealthy food products to young children contributes to poor nutritional habits that may last a lifetime and be a variable in the current epidemic of obesity among kids. Studies show that the average American child watches approximately 3 hours of television a day. With children watching so much television, their physical activity has also declined over the years. Experts are saying that due to technology advances, many adults today are living into their 100's. They are also saying that this will not likely be the trend in the future due to amount of children that are expected to contract heart disease in adulthood due to obesity. More steps need to be taken to educate parents on how to make sure that their children do not fall into this category. Nutritionist and health care providers are recommending that parents monitor the amount of
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