“These processes infringe on everyone’s privacy. With children, it is especially frightening since they are completely unaware and unable to protect themselves from these practices. Children are vulnerable and industry manipulation is morally and ethically wrong” – Young Canadian Leader
The Young Canadians Against Marketing to Kids are a group of young people passionate about changing the landscape of marketing to children in hopes of inspiring other young people to join the movement. As young leaders, they found it “unnerving to learn that corporations go as far as using psychology and science procedures to understand consumer behaviour and where young people are most receptive to marketing strategies. Further, with the advances in digital technology, corporations and their agencies are able to pull and store detailed information through data mining and cookie metrics on site users and hopeful consumers”. The team argues that industry has gone too far and corporations should not be allowed to spend billions of dollars on marketing tactics to try to convince kids to consume foods that are harmful to our health.
The Young Canadians Against Marketing to Kids and the Stop M2K Coalition encourage children and youth from across Canada to take action and show support for Bill S-228, an act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibiting food and beverage marketing directed at children).
- Post a comment. The Government of Canada has a great online feedback tool that allows youth to easily comment and help develop Canada’s first-ever Youth Policy.
- Send an e-card to your MP! Thousands of Canadians have already sent an e-card. Add your voice to instantaneously grow the movement.
- Send an e-mail! Find your MP; download, customize with your own story and send this email letting them know what you think about how industries are gathering information to market to children, and highlighting the importance of Bill S-228.
- Use social media! Follow and participate in the conversation on social media by using #Marketing2Kids. Also consider using #BillS228 and #leaderstoday in your posts to show Parliament your support.