Phone firms targeting of under-fives is ‘as bad as marketing junk food’ say MPs [The Independent]
Senior [UK] MPs are calling for an urgent government inquiry into the “targeting” of children with cartoon mobile phone merchandise, including Winnie the Pooh, dangly soft toys and Scooby-Doo mobile phone covers.
They warn that a huge selection of mobile phone toy accessories and “wallpaper”, includingToy Story ringtones, Tigger phone “danglies” and Finding Nemo phone covers are encouraging children as young as four to use handsets.
Phil Willis, the chairman of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, called on the Department of Health last night to launch an urgent inquiry into the marketing of mobile accessories to children. He said the issue was potentially as serious as the marketing of junk food and sugary drinks to primary school pupils.
(via textually.org)
