What about the children!!!

This week I noticed two very conflicting messages sent by two very prominent t.v. networks.  The first of these messages is being sent by ABC.  To promote the new fall series' premiers, ABC is using the tagline "National Stay at Home Week".  Of course, ABC is using this campaign for all of their shows and this message is sent several times during each commercial break.  What's wrong with staying at home all the time?  Nothing, right?

This saturday Nickelodeon promoted their new campaign, "Let's Just Play", by blacking out the channel between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.  By doing this they are hoping that children will go out and play, instead of sitting around all day.  During the advertisements for this campaign, Nickelodeon promotes an active, healthy lifestyle.

What about little Billy?  What is he to think?  When he watches Sponge Bob, he's told to go out and play.  When he watches Grey's Anatomy with mommy and daddy, or even ABC's saturday morning lineup, he's told to stay in ALL WEEK.  On one hand he's told to go out and exercise and have fun, on the other hand he's told to lock the door from the outside world and cower in front of the television.

In a way, ABC and Nickelodeon are competitors.  They are both channels competing for viewers.  ABC and Disney work together, while the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon are direct competitors.  This may be the reason for the conflicting messages, but I certainly doubt it.  As an advertising major, I believe that there is a great deal of responsibility when dealing with the messages we send children.  Even if this means we must look at what the competitors are sending out as well.