Nickelodeon is a leading children's media outlet, with shows and characters many of our kids know well and love, including Avatar, Spongebob, Paw Patrol and more! It must also be a good corporate citizen by serving as an advocate for the well-being of the children who are their audience and the communities those children grow up in. However, a recent study from the Center for Science in the Public Interest shows that 2/3 of food ads on Nickelodeon are for unhealthy foods.
Our children are more than big business. Our country is facing an obesity epidemic, with one in three children overweight or obese. Overconsumption of junk food is a major factor of childhood obesity, yet children are bombarded with junk food advertisements throughout the day.
Tell Nickelodeon to do the right thing and adopt strong nutrition standards for advertisements and marketing through its entire child-directed media!
Dear Viacom,
I'm writing to urge you to implement a clear and transparent policy for marketing to children. As you know, our country is facing an obesity epidemic, with one in three children overweight or obese. The Institute of Medicine conducted a thorough scientific review and concluded that food marketing affects children's food preferences and choices and is harming their health. In 2011, children under 12 saw an average of 13 food advertisements per day. Unfortunately, most of those were for unhealthy foods.
Two-thirds of the foods advertised to kids on Nick are unhealthy. Although junk food ads on Nickelodeon have decreased from a high of almost 90 percent of food ads in 2005 to 65 percent today, that is still way too many.
I appreciate the steps you have taken to address the use of Nickelodeon characters to promote healthy food. However, your company must do more. Please adopt strong nutrition standards for advertisements and marketing through all of your child-directed media. It will have a positive impact on the food advertising landscape for children, children's health, and your company's reputation.
[your comment]
Thank you.
[your name]
