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Art by RJ Matson
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Should Junk Food Ads Be Banned?
Potato chips. Cupcakes. Burgers. Ads for these foods are everywhere. How does that affect you?
You’ve seen them: Soda ads before YouTube videos. Photos of crispy chips on your Instagram feed. Social media posts showing juicy burgers and tongue-tingling candies.
Ads for junk food are everywhere
But in the United Kingdom (U.K.), these ads might not be everywhere for long. The government wants to ban them online. Should America do the same?
Ad Overload
Why does the U.K. government want to ban these ads? It’s mostly worried about kids and teens. Junk food companies want to build something called brand loyalty. That means getting people hooked on their products while they’re young.
So how do these companies do it? They show you a lot of ads! One study found that 98 percent of the food ads kids see are for junk food. Experts say these ads make you more likely to choose unhealthy snacks.
That’s OK sometimes. Eating a cookie or chips every so often is usually fine. But a diet full of junk food can lead to health problems like heart disease or diabetes.
These ads might also affect how much you eat. One study found that people ate 45 percent more after watching food ads on TV. It didn’t even matter if they were hungry!
No “Bad” Food
Art by RJ Matson
Some people eat 45 percent more after watching food ads on TV.
But not everyone agrees with banning junk food ads. Some people say that foods should never be labeled as “bad.” They believe all foods can fit in with a healthy diet. Plus, not every family has a choice when it comes to what to eat. Junk food and fast food are usually cheaper than healthier foods like fresh fruits and vegetables.
Still others argue that banning junk food ads just won’t work. Kids will still see sugary snacks at grocery stores. They’ll eat chips and cheese puffs at friends’ houses. Once you taste junk food, you’re hooked. Are the ads really the problem?
A Better Idea?
Some experts say that there are better ways to get people to eat healthier foods. Instead of banning junk food ads, kids and teens should be taught how to make smart choices. These experts want you to understand why a sugary candy bar doesn’t fill you up like a crispy red apple.
That way, you won’t fall for that junk food ad in your feed. You’ll choose snacks based on your hunger—and the way they make you feel.
ACTIVITY:
Should Junk Food Ads
Be Banned?
What to do: Use evidence from the article to support each side of the debate. Write the information on a separate sheet of paper.
Yes! They build bad habits.
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No! They’re not the real problem.
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