Drawbacks of Advertising

Andrew Sudnick
as628713@ohio.edu

For organizations, advertising is the key to promoting their product. It is seen as effective way to help with sales. However, many people do not take into account the harms of advertising. Unfortunately, not every organization is selling a harmless product/service. Some organizations also use unethical methods of advertising. I think there are three main negative results of advertising.

Source: pixelpi.com

Susceptibility

Advertisements can be the most lethal when they are targeting a susceptible audience. This can be harmful because it can lead to rash decisions by the consumer. Targeting someone who has their guard down could result in a negative manor. The most susceptible audience is children. Kids are very impressionable. Advertisers factor in many sophisticated devices so they can determine the most effective way to influence these children. Advertisements constantly effect children's well-being. Certain ads can cause children to chose unhealthy habits. This is unfortunate because they are not developed enough to make decisions on their own. Advertisements capitalize on the susceptibility of children, and it often is at the child's expense. 

False Representation

A lot of advertisements are competing against rival products. There is a lot of pressure to make your product stand out and seem like the clear-cut winner. However, this results in falsely represented ads. It is illegal to advertise your product falsely. Organizations are so talented at showcasing a product to the point where you imply it's benefits. This keeps the organization from getting in trouble, but also sucks you into the ad. False representation is frustrating because you buy the product and it turns out to not be what you expected.

Manipulation

Manipulation, in advertising, refers to the emotions a certain ad draws out of you. Ads are created so you desire the product/service being advertised. Often, this can be harmful because it leads to you comparing your life to the ads. It pulls that desire out of you and makes you feel like you are not good enough the way you are. They target your insecurities so that they can lure you into their product. Ads specialize in making us believe that buying stuff will lead to happiness. They create an emotional problem, then offer a solution towards it. Manipulating you and making you feel down is the first part; then having the exact cure for the problem is the second part. They want to provide you with short-term happiness, as long as they get your money first.

Source: tobacco.stanford.edu