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Ahoy, the new social disease, called "Social Media" targeting the young and young at Heart.
April 12, 2013, 8:25 am By Simon Palan ABC
http://au.news.yahoo.com/technology...-accused-of-targeting-minors-on-social-media/
There are concerns alcohol companies may be turning to the colourful world of social media to promote drinks to minors. There are already widespread limits on alcohol advertising for traditional media like television, but on social media it thrives.
Alcohol brands have flocked to social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, posting competitions, cocktail recipes and even TV advertisements. The ads are bright, fun and at the fingertips of children.
Australian Medical Association president Steve Hambleton says it is out of control.
"Social media is a huge opportunity with a lot more power and it's something that's unregulated and uncontrolled," he said. Social media analyst Ross Dawson agrees.
"The alcohol companies are seeing social media as another way of getting to their consumers and they are actively embracing that," he said. Some social media sites have incorporated age filters to prevent underage users accessing the content, but Mr Dawson says they are not effective. "In social media, as in other advertising, certainly underage people are being exposed to this," he said.
"We can do more and we should do more to prevent minors being exposed to alcohol advertising."
A review is due to be held by the end of the year to address the growing concerns about the industry, which self-regulates its advertising. But Denita Wawn, the chairwoman of the Alcohol Beverage Advertising Code, rejects suggestions that self-regulation is failing. She says social media is covered in the industry's code when it comes to advertising, but she welcomes a review.
"We believe it's very important that the code is continually under review," she said.
"We've made a commitment that all aspects of the code will be reviewed at the end of the year."
She says there are actually very few complaints about alcohol advertisements on social media.
April 12, 2013, 8:25 am By Simon Palan ABC
http://au.news.yahoo.com/technology...-accused-of-targeting-minors-on-social-media/
There are concerns alcohol companies may be turning to the colourful world of social media to promote drinks to minors. There are already widespread limits on alcohol advertising for traditional media like television, but on social media it thrives.
Alcohol brands have flocked to social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, posting competitions, cocktail recipes and even TV advertisements. The ads are bright, fun and at the fingertips of children.
Australian Medical Association president Steve Hambleton says it is out of control.
"Social media is a huge opportunity with a lot more power and it's something that's unregulated and uncontrolled," he said. Social media analyst Ross Dawson agrees.
"The alcohol companies are seeing social media as another way of getting to their consumers and they are actively embracing that," he said. Some social media sites have incorporated age filters to prevent underage users accessing the content, but Mr Dawson says they are not effective. "In social media, as in other advertising, certainly underage people are being exposed to this," he said.
"We can do more and we should do more to prevent minors being exposed to alcohol advertising."
A review is due to be held by the end of the year to address the growing concerns about the industry, which self-regulates its advertising. But Denita Wawn, the chairwoman of the Alcohol Beverage Advertising Code, rejects suggestions that self-regulation is failing. She says social media is covered in the industry's code when it comes to advertising, but she welcomes a review.
"We believe it's very important that the code is continually under review," she said.
"We've made a commitment that all aspects of the code will be reviewed at the end of the year."
She says there are actually very few complaints about alcohol advertisements on social media.
