Group to sue Nickelodeon, Kellogg to stop junk food advertising

by Jay Allen (Subscribe to Jay Allen's posts) Jan 19th 2006 1:01PM

Categories: Money & Work, Development, Media

Talk about a Quixotic quest. The Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood have served notice of their intent to sue both Nickelodeon Networks and Kellogg Co. in an attempt to stop the companies from marketing what they regard as unhealthful food to America's children. Nickelodeon claims it's innocent, saying that it promotes healthful eating and exercise in kids daily. (Carrots, anyone?) But CSPI says BS, claiming that it's analyzed weekday and Saturday morning advertising and found the majority of products advertised to be crap.

The Center for Consumer Freedom opposes the lawsuit , saying that the lawsuit rests on three flawed assumptions: that parents can't turn off the TV, that parents can't control what their kids eat, and that parents can't send their children outside to get some exercise. That's a little disingenuous. If Nick and other stations were constantly broadcasting commercials and content that were attempting to sexualize kids, parents would be in an uproar and would have a right to complain. Why shouldn't parents be concerned if the majority of food advertising pushes junk? It's a matter of cultural values. Mind you, I think a billion-dollar lawsuit is itself a symptom of our broken culture. But that doesn't mean that CSPI doesn't have a point.

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Comments (9)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Maureen 1-19-2006 @ 1:50PM

Why don't they just organize a boycott? If no one was watching because of these commercials, wouldn't those advertisers take their dollers elsewhere?
Now, granted, my oldest is only three, but he *never* watches nick or any other network like that. He watches some Sesame St. on PBS and a few videos. I really want to steer clear of exposing him to all the commercial crap for as long as possible.
I guess I can understand if you have older children who watch those channels, but I still would like to see an organized boycott first rather than a lawsuit.
Who knows, maybe I'll sing a different tune as my children age, but in my dreams there is no t.v. in the house... yeah, I'm sure that will go over well:)

Anna V. 1-19-2006 @ 3:01PM

My daughter watches Nick and Nick Jr (she loves Dora and Spongebob), but she has yet to make the connection between commercials and wanting what they advertise. Not every kid is hypnotized by ads, and parents (the ones who grocery shop) don't have to buy the unhealthy food. Just say no to the kid. Let them scream, whatever.

Emily 1-19-2006 @ 4:18PM

Are they going to sue the parents that buy that junk for their kids? The kids aren't buying it - the parents are.

Rob 1-19-2006 @ 5:06PM

The "Center for Consumer Freedom" is a front group for industry groups that regularly attacks anyone pushing for safety, environmental, or public health regulations.

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Center_for_Consumer_Freedom

Ann Adams 1-19-2006 @ 7:26PM

If I don't want the girls to eat something (at least at home), I don't buy it. Simple. I can read a label and decide for myself what to buy without any help from these people. Truth be told a Pop Tart, a box of fruit snacks, or heaven forbid a french fry sneaks into the house from time to time and they don't seem any the worse for it. We just make it a treat, not an everyday replacement for "real" food.

They've known from the time they were toddlers that they don't get everything they want. They also learned that most commercials are to be ignored because I've told them not to believe everything they see. They complain now that they can't fast forward through the commercials on live t.v. so they don't watch it much. They learned that one from me as well.

The ultimate decision for healthy choices rests with the parents each parent's version of "healthy" may be different.

Shannon 1-19-2006 @ 9:31PM

I second Ann's sentiments. It's preposterous that any group claiming to protect our children (or our freedom, for that matter) would be suing a business. It's the parents' job to protect their children. If you don't like the ads, turn off the TV.

It's also offensive to me that an industry "watchgroup" supposes that my children and I are too weak-minded to think and shop for ourselves and that we need them to prevent the existence of such "horrible" junk food from coming to our attention.

Trish Whicomb 1-21-2006 @ 5:22AM

I fully agree with everything these people are saying. Who is the adult here? Are you people letting a child make the decisions? My children enjoyed get a surprise out of the cereal box, but we had rules about it, you have to eat the enter box before you got the surprise if it was loaded with sugar look around and show them the better choice. You�re teaching them that what ever they see on TV they can have, what kind of message are you sending. Bottom line it is up to the parent to BUY that box of cereal or what ever it may be, not the child. Take control and tell your child no.

Trish Whicomb 1-21-2006 @ 5:32AM

Nancy 1-23-2006 @ 9:54PM

lawsuits like this are so stupid.It's the parents decision to buy the food for the kids. If they don't like it, they don't have to buy it. If they don't like what they see on tv, turn it off. If they are that concerned about the kids healthy habbits, maybe the kids should be outside playing and gettin exercise instead of sitting in front of the tv.People need to take responsabilty themselves instead of trying to blame these companies.Parents have the control here,use it.

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