Childhood Consumerism

[Sean]

It's a long read, but it got me thinking. When did the world become a place where kids think they won't have anything in common with their friends if they no longer had any cell phones or PDA's? Maybe it was just my childhood, but I can not remember any to this scale. I'm curious to know when 11 year old kids started getting a second cellphone, let alone a first.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...NTA29/TPFocus/

[taranaki]

Just watch the television commercials during children's t.v. over the next month.The toy manufacturers no longer pitch to the parents,they pitch straight to the 4 and 5 year olds.Consumerism is ingrained at a very early age.

[blindside.AMG]

Also due to the hip-hop influence on youths. All these kids want the bling-bling like the cool guys on MTV.

[YogsVR4]

Its all about getting to the target audience.

To many parents spoil the kids by getting them whatever they want. Between the marketers and the parents, kids don't stand much of a chance of not wanting everything they see.

[TexasF355F1]

Sadly, this is the down side to technology. I know at the high school I attended, they now allow cell phones in the school. I think its complete idiocy. Now the kids are suppose to have them off, but none of them do. My roomates sister said everyone sends text messages all day long.

The biggest problem is the parents. They don't set limits on anything. I'll admit I had a cell phone when I turned 16(that was in '98) back before it was "cool" to have one. But I never used it. My parents stressed I was to only use it when it was an emergency. So it just sat in my glove box and collected dust. Kids need to see things in reality and realize just b/c you have a cell phone or whatnot doesn't make you cool. When i have kid(s) I want to make sure they're on top of technology and know as much as the possibly can, but they're only gonna be allowed so much time to play with the computer. The rest of the time, will be spent outside being active, just like I was.