CHILDREN’S advocates are claiming a victory in the fast-growing world of online marketing to kids, with McDonald’s found in breach of industry standards over a website.
The Advertising Standards Bureau upheld the Cancer Council’s complaint about the Happy Meal website, finding that it had breached several clauses of the voluntary code for advertising to children, including promoting unhealthy food choices by using characters and online interactive games aimed at children.
The Cancer Council says the finding is a game changer, showing fast food companies can no longer get away with targeting children in the less regulated online world.
Kathy Chapman, director of health strategies at Cancer Council NSW, said the bureau had recognised children were vulnerable to online fast food advertising, and that websites and social media were growing avenues used to target children.
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