Advertiser influence on violent television programming. Furthermore, we urge the FTC to study the market for violent entertainment products and evaluate evidence that these violent products are a classic case of market failure, in that the consumption of violent entertainment products may create social costs that are not comprehended by the market or the price mechanism. Such costs could include, for example, heightened levels of crime, violence, aggression, and desensitization to violence. The FTC should expand this analysis to include other types of entertainment products, including movies, music and video games. The FTC should review the European experience related to advertising to children.
Some European nations restrict advertising to children.
For example, Sweden and Norway prohibit television advertising directly targeting children below 12 years of age. Of course, in the United States, children have no such protections. We also attach a list of experts on the subjects of marketing to children and media violence whom the FTC ought to interview for its study. Congress has granted broad subpoena powers to the FTC to investigate corporate conduct. We hope that the FTC will use its powers in the service of parents and families, to uncover how the entertainment industry sells its violent entertainment products to children.