DCSF launches review of impact of commercialism on children

The government is urging young people and their parents to have their say on the impact of the commercial world on children’s lives. The Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport announced a review on the issue yesterday as part of the 10-year Children’s Plan.

It comes after parents raised concerns about their children’s values being affected by a barrage of wall-to-wall advertising, media and websites in a previous consultation. The study will be undertaken by a panel of independent experts chaired by David Buckingham, head of the study for the centre of children, youth and the media, at the Institute of Education, London.

Concerns from parents

Children’s secretary Ed Balls said parents had already aired concerns that “consumerism is skewing our children’s values and aspirations” in the Time to Talk events held around the country.

He said the review was designed to further the government’s understanding of the impact of commercialism on children’s behaviour and beliefs.

The panel will evaluate existing research and the views of children, young people and their parents and report back to the government by March 2009.

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