Certainly the message that advertising adversely affects children has been repeated so often that it has become part of folk wisdom. The 'standard argument,' the belief that children are easily influenced by advertisers, has come from so many directions that it is no longer examined critically. We may be comforted by thinking 'Advertisers are doing this to us,' but in truth we are doing it to ourselves. The importance of advertising to children, and the importance of children to advertising The case for advertising is traditionally based on its economic role. But a case can also be made for the psychological and social value of advertising.
Advertising is everywhere, and people everywhere are united by it.
Perhaps for the first time, young people of all ethnic and geographic origins share images and experiences, thanks in large measure to mass media and mass advertising. Advertising offers youth entertainment, diversion, a way to manage their mood states, and information on how to satisfy personal needs. Its first-class graphics, music, and humour give advertising the potential to teach children language, cognitive, social, and artistic skills. Successful children's programmes like Sesame Street rely upon advertising techniques to teach children all manner of things. Advertising has been doing this for years.