Marketing to children specifically is not acceptable

Marketing to children specifically is  ( or isn't) acceptable.

I'm usually of the opinion that every argument or issue has merits and demerits.

It's no different in the case of marketing targeted to children.

Certainly aggressive marketing campaigns are unjustified when children are the intended prey.

And all those cool soft drinks commercials will certainly not  help in the fight against childhood obesity. I know I've got the Ice Tea jingle playing on repeat in my mind.

Nevertheless, children are consumers as well. That's a plain fact. 

They want snacks, they want toys and they have parents and willing grandparents and aunties to subsidize their wants and needs.

If done with the necessary sensitivity and minus the usual manipulations I don't see anything wrong with the typical adds for toys, video games or  weekends in the Efteling amusement park.

There are many laws protecting the children. In fact I remember being disappointed when the Playmobil vehicles and action figures didn't fly or kick on their own when I was a child. I had been duly misled by the commercials. 

But now the law states that a hand must be shown at all times when depicting action figures, planes and other non-electronic toys.

The illusion is gone, but so is the disappointment. I'm not sure which situation is the better one. Children should have dreams and even illusions.

But overall clearly things have evolved , the law is there to protect , where necessary.

Therefore I see no objections to marketing efforts targeted for children.