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Age-inappropriate television commercials
Categories: Kids 5-7, Media, That's Entertainment
We are pretty strict about television viewing in my house. Not only is Ellie limited in how long she can zone out in front of the tube, she is restricted from watching shows we consider too mature for her. She knows which shows are on the "do not watch" list and will change the channel herself when they come on. She's good that way. Don't get me wrong, she wants to watch "That's So Raven", but she accepts that it is intended for children older than six and is therefore not allowed.
Lately I have noticed that while she is viewing what should be age-appropriate programming, advertisers are trying to talk to me. Somewhere between the Magic School Bus and Dora the Explorer, she is being urged to clean up her credit, clear her skin and get some technical training so she can get a better paying job. It's 8am, I haven't had my coffee yet, and I am trying to explain to a six year old what 'dirty' credit is, how that skin cream really won't make me look ten years younger and how technical training won't be necessary because she will be going to a four-year college.
The worst offender is my local cable company and their advertisements for television parental controls. On the surface, it makes sense. Your kids are watching age-appropriate programming and the helpful cable company wants to let you know how you can assure they continue to watch such shows.
The problem arises in the commercials themselves. In one, a father is in his living room having a conversation with Skinny Pale Guy. Father tells Skinny Pale Guy that the violence and drug use in his show is inappropriate for his kids and he will therefore have to block him. In the spot, you can see the man's children playing outside. Obviously, this is a conversation he wanted to have in private, when the kids weren't around.
Why can't they have this talk with me when my kid isn't around?
Lately I have noticed that while she is viewing what should be age-appropriate programming, advertisers are trying to talk to me. Somewhere between the Magic School Bus and Dora the Explorer, she is being urged to clean up her credit, clear her skin and get some technical training so she can get a better paying job. It's 8am, I haven't had my coffee yet, and I am trying to explain to a six year old what 'dirty' credit is, how that skin cream really won't make me look ten years younger and how technical training won't be necessary because she will be going to a four-year college.
The worst offender is my local cable company and their advertisements for television parental controls. On the surface, it makes sense. Your kids are watching age-appropriate programming and the helpful cable company wants to let you know how you can assure they continue to watch such shows.
The problem arises in the commercials themselves. In one, a father is in his living room having a conversation with Skinny Pale Guy. Father tells Skinny Pale Guy that the violence and drug use in his show is inappropriate for his kids and he will therefore have to block him. In the spot, you can see the man's children playing outside. Obviously, this is a conversation he wanted to have in private, when the kids weren't around.
Why can't they have this talk with me when my kid isn't around?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mona 2-28-2007 @ 8:06PM
I'm glad you brought this up. I'm amazed at how inappropriate commercials there are and even more amazed at how many sexual innuendos I catch on Nickelodeon.
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Uly 2-28-2007 @ 10:25PM
Well, we've got a working TV now, but I think I'll stick to DVDs as much as possible. If I can't do that - behold the power of the mute button! I wield it with great strength! AHAH!
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SKL 2-28-2007 @ 10:20PM
I don't understand what's so wrong with giving kids a glimpse of the mundane aspects of the adult world.
So the media companies are recognizing that parents are sitting with their kids during children's programming and aiming some of their ads at parents. They are already getting flack for every ad they aim at kids. Give them a break.
Personally, I've only watched one Dora episode and I could barely sit through it. A grown-up break in that "action" would have been welcome for me. And an opportunity to explain a real-life issue such as bad credit or post-high-school education is a good thing too, in my opinion. As your kid gets older, you won't have unlimited time to talk to them about things that matter in real life.
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Kris 2-28-2007 @ 11:18PM
Great post, and topic. The commercials during Oprah really bug me. Even if it's an ok topic on the show, the commercials make me dive for the remote.
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Judy 2-28-2007 @ 11:04PM
If you have access to digital cable look for a network called Noggin. Until 6 pm they show preschool cartoons with NO commercials. I let my daughter see a few a week and she really likes a show called The Wonder Pets. When she is not watching TV she incorporates the plots from the show in her pretend play.
And yes, I find it boring.
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whithonea 3-01-2007 @ 12:33AM
I love that commercial that you mention.
Noggin is great, the Wonder Pets are far from boring.
My 3 year old watches House. He learns things too, like don't eat too much candy or you'll get a worm in your belly. So I spin it a bit, whatever.
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Bob the clown 3-01-2007 @ 2:29AM
Commercials are commercials. I've never watched tv for the commercials. But i love some of them and hate that some get canceled due to closed mindedness (Super bowl snickers ad to name one.).
Anyways, The TV station really doesn't have a decision over WHO advertises. If Fisher price doesn't want to pay for a commercial, But the Credit company does... Then of course they gotta play the Credit commercial. In the end.. Profit to cost ratio is more important then hiding the pitfalls of credit from your daughter.
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SM 3-01-2007 @ 7:29AM
Oooo. This is one of my pet peeves. We'll have something harmless on for Husband and I to watch--something on Discovery Channel or whatever--and the most inappropriate commercials come on. I especially hate the trailers for horror movies. They're so darn gory and scary. Heck, they should be rated PG-13 or worse. And, of course, my 3-year old wanders into the living room the minute one of them comes on...
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Luna 3-01-2007 @ 7:57AM
Noggin is a great station for kids (other than PBS kids) I haven't yet had a problem with the "it's not for kids" explanation with my 6 yr old. I control the remote when they watch so if something inappropriate comes on the channel changes. He loved Oobi, my almost 2 yr old loves the baby in the sun and the music from Teletubbies. Thomas the Tank Engine is very big here so I can get away with no iffy commercials.
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greta 3-01-2007 @ 10:11AM
get a tivo, and you'll never have to watch commercials again. well, except in fast-forward.
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Jessica 3-01-2007 @ 11:31AM
I got a call from the Dove Foundation at 8:30 last night. If it weren't for it being the Dover Foundation, they would have gotten an earful for calling my house that late.
Regardless, they were calling on behalf of another organization (ugh, can't remember) regarding the lack of family programming on our tv's. They were calling to ask if the other organization could call me to proceed with the movement to get better programming on TV.
I am so excited to see what this other organization has to say and what I can do to clean up TV for my family. I also thought it was so cool that the Dove Foundation was involved in this.
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