Mentor/s
Brian Stiltner and Sandra Young
Participation Type
Paper Talk
Abstract
Advertisements affect us in many ways, some that have a lasting impact psychologically beginning at childhood. The industry attempts to manipulate several aspects of a child’s life while their brain is not developed enough for them to think for themselves. This ranges from things like food to more emotional exploitation involving self-esteem and body image. Ads are an aspect of the media that can have a major impact on growth and development all the way from childhood into teen years and beyond. Advertisements can have negative effects on human growth and development, such as harm to self-esteem/body image as well as negative and lasting psychological implications. While this is true for both males and females, advertisements specifically have a negative effect on young women at a time when they are vulnerable and trying to find their sense of self. The industry causes them to constantly compare themselves to what the media tells them they should look like, what they should buy, and how they should think. Feelings of negative self-esteem from comparison can lead to a lasting impact on the identity of women and how they see themselves in a world full of judgment. Therefore, the future of the advertising industry should be regulated at home through families having open discussions with their children about what they are going to experience when they start using different forms of media, inevitably being exposed to advertisements without parental guidance. Another call for action regarding this issue is the need for the school systems to implement programs to educate developing individuals, especially young women, on how to be responsible and informed consumers of media when it comes to advertising.
College and Major available
College of Arts and Sciences, Communication Studies BS
Location
Session G: West Campus West Building W223J
Start Day/Time
4-29-2022 12:00 PM
End Day/Time
4-29-2022 1:00 PM
The Negative Impact of Advertising on Human Growth & Development
Session G: West Campus West Building W223J
Advertisements affect us in many ways, some that have a lasting impact psychologically beginning at childhood. The industry attempts to manipulate several aspects of a child’s life while their brain is not developed enough for them to think for themselves. This ranges from things like food to more emotional exploitation involving self-esteem and body image. Ads are an aspect of the media that can have a major impact on growth and development all the way from childhood into teen years and beyond. Advertisements can have negative effects on human growth and development, such as harm to self-esteem/body image as well as negative and lasting psychological implications. While this is true for both males and females, advertisements specifically have a negative effect on young women at a time when they are vulnerable and trying to find their sense of self. The industry causes them to constantly compare themselves to what the media tells them they should look like, what they should buy, and how they should think. Feelings of negative self-esteem from comparison can lead to a lasting impact on the identity of women and how they see themselves in a world full of judgment. Therefore, the future of the advertising industry should be regulated at home through families having open discussions with their children about what they are going to experience when they start using different forms of media, inevitably being exposed to advertisements without parental guidance. Another call for action regarding this issue is the need for the school systems to implement programs to educate developing individuals, especially young women, on how to be responsible and informed consumers of media when it comes to advertising.
Students' Information
Juliana Levin, Strategic Communication, Advertising & PR, Honors, 2023