Tell Nickelodeon to stop junk food marketing to kids!

Nickelodeon is a leading children's media outlet, with shows and characters many of our kids know well and love including Avatar, Spongebob, Paw Patrol and more! It’s also an important ally for parents and communities. However, a recent study from the Center for Science in the Public Interest shows that 2/3 of food ads on Nickelodeon are for unhealthy foods. [1]

Tell Nickelodeon to do the right thing and adopt strong nutrition standards for advertisements and marketing through its entire child-directed media!

Our children are more than big business.

[1] Milkshakes, Sugary Cereals, Candy: What Nickelodeon is Peddling to Kids, A Report, Center for Science in the Public Interest. September 13, 2016.

Dear Viacom,

I'm writing to urge you to implement a clear and transparent policy for marketing to children. As you know, our country is facing an obesity epidemic, with one in three children overweight or obese. Food marketing affects children's food preferences and choices and is harming their health. [1] In 2011, children under 12 saw an average of 13 food advertisements per day. [2] Unfortunately, most of those were for unhealthy foods.

Two-thirds of the foods advertised to kids on Nick are unhealthy. Although junk food ads on Nickelodeon have decreased from a high of almost 90 percent of food ads in 2005 to 65 percent today, that is still way too many. [3]

I appreciate the steps you have taken to address the use of Nickelodeon characters to promote healthy food. However, your company must do more. Please adopt strong nutrition standards for advertisements and marketing through all of your child-directed media. It will have a positive impact on the food advertising landscape for children, children's health, and your company's reputation.

Thank you.

[1] Harris, Jennifer L. and Graff, Samantha K. Protecting Young People From Junk Food Advertising: Implications of Psychological Research for First Amendment Law. American Journal of Public Health. 2012. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3483979/

[2] Powell, Lisa M. Trends in the Nutritional Content of TV Food Advertisements Seen by Children in the US: Analyses by Age, Food Categories and Companies. Arch Pediatric Adolescent Medicine. 2013. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3674770/

[3] Milkshakes, Sugary Cereals, Candy: What Nickelodeon is Peddling to Kids, A Report, Center for Science in the Public Interest. September 13, 2016.

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Subject: Join me in the fight to stop junk food marketing to kids!

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Today I signed a petition telling Nickelodeon to stop junk food marketing to kids.

2/3 of food ads on Nickelodeon are for junk, according to a recent study. [1] Ouch, right?

Let’s be clear: Parents can’t just "turn off the TV” to deal with this issue. Junk food is advertised to kids everywhere - not just on TV. Marketers target kids through ads on buses, smart phones, video games, billboards on playgrounds and near schools, the radio, the Internet, the supermarket and more. Ever notice the character your child loves on a box of junk food, displayed at eye-level for a child? It's like a full frontal assault.

Companies know parents can't be everywhere. They also know exactly when, where and how to access the eyes and ears of children. That’s why we need strong standards for marketing to kids.

Join me in telling Nickelodeon to STOP junk food marketing to kids! Then, pass it on to your friends and family. You can sign on here - http://action.momsrising.org/sign/nickelodeon_stop_junk_food_marketing_to_kids?source=taf

Together, our voices can make a powerful difference.

[1] Milkshakes, Sugary Cereals, Candy: What Nickelodeon is Peddling to Kids, A Report, Center for Science in the Public Interest. September 13, 2016.

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