Dear Moms, Dads, Relatives, Educators and Business Owners

I am standing on my virtual soap box this week and urging all parents to speak up against inappropriate advertising and movie trailers broadcasted during family viewing time.

Last month I watched How to Train Your Dragon - 10m. The trailer was Clash of the Titans - 13V. I also watched The Tooth Fairy - PG. The trailer was Date Night - 13LSV.

I recently read a letter from a mom in the Sunday Tribune where she complained of two age inappropriate adverts flighted prior to the Hannah Montana movie. Both of these adverts contained sexual content not suitable for young children. She complained to the advertisers, who removed the adverts from screening at the movie, however, she tried to contact Ster Kinekor on two occasions and received no response.

We could just stop taking our kids to movies, or we could take them into the movie once all the adverts and trailers are complete. But why should we? Why can't advertisers behave appropriately? Surely their advertising agencies are creative enough to come up with an advert that does not sell sex, that the whole family can watch thereby giving their brand some credibility and their advert a wider audience?

If you too would like to stop advertisers and Cinemas from polluting your young children's minds with images of sex and violence, then please speak up and let them know. One or two complaints will have little effect. We need as many parents as possible to document dates and times of all age inappropriate content broadcasted during family viewing times, including television, and to contact the advertisers flighting the advert to let them know this is unacceptable. Please email me a copy of your feedback to these advertisers so that I may document them on our web site.

If you do not get a response from the advertiser regarding your complaint, remember that social media web sites such as Twitter and Facebook can be effective platforms to have your voice heard. If the advertiser has a web site they usually post their Facebook or Twitter page links there.

Shouldn't businesses be sending messages that help parents to teach their children appropriate and responsible behaviour? In my opinion a brand is more sustainable if it were adding value to society and not aiding in its degradation.

A good and wholesome event to visit is The Baby Expo in Joburg from 13 to 16 May 2010. This year The Fimbles can be seen on stage daily.

For those responsible business owners who are not currently offering credit card payment options to their clients, don't forget to have a look at the exciting offer below from Visa and Nedbank's merchant facilities.

http://www.kidzworld.co.za/

 May 2010