CHICAGO--With young people viewing an estimated 40,000 ads a year, experts say that such exposure may contribute significantly to obesity, poor nutrition, cigarette and alcohol use, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
In a revised policy statement, the AAP outlines several recommendations to help mitigate advertising’s harmful effects and says one simple solution would be to have children and adolescents become critical media viewers.
The statement also says that advertisers are seeking to find new and creative ways of targeting young consumers via the Internet, in schools and even in bathroom stalls.
The statement looks at advertising in different media, such as television, movies, print media and the Internet. It also addresses marketing techniques and specific health-related areas of concern, like tobacco, alcohol, drug advertising.