Marketing to Children

Introduction: Issues Surrounding Marketing to Children The ancient Code of Hammurabi banned sales to or purchases from a minor without a contract and witnesses, making such an act punishable by death (Duhaime 2003). Today's society rarely questions the ethics of advertising and selling to minors, and marketers are no longer considered thieves for their actions. Advertising surrounds children and encourages them to consume today on television, in magazines, at the movies, on the Internet and on …

…new issues are the controversies that are arising from the growth of the Internet and of global marketing. Both the government and parents need to be aware of this continuing debate as these new issues arise. The boundaries in media and advertising are rapidly changing. Children and adults need to be able to recognize the intensity of advertisements over young intellects, therefore, they can prevent themselves and others from being sucked into the corporate community.