Advertisements for breakfast cereals that promote directly to children

QUESTION

Advertisements for breakfast cereals that promote directly to children often raise ethical questions. Why?

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER

Children are neither educated enough nor mature enough to make wise decisions regarding their health. Therefore an advertisement for a breakfast cereal that is full of sugar may appeal to them because of a fun tiger that talks to them and seems friendly, however the product advertised may not be a healthy choice and the text of the advertisement may make faulty claims. Since children are consumers and have some say in what their parents purchase advertisers would like to take advantage of the unique perspective children have which at times will have a negative impact on children’s health.