| I'll admit: I had heard of advergaming (advertising via online free games), but I was a skeptic. Kids are now online, and so are advertisers. I see ads online when I visit some of my favorite sites or surf the web. But who would be silly enough to GO to an advertiser's website on purpose and spend time there playing a game while being indoctrinated with their advertisements? I understand that advertisers are trying this, but do kids really go for it?
Well... let me share a scene from my home last night. I was in the living room, where my boyfriend's oldest daughter (age 7) was playing on the computer. I figured she was playing Webkinz until I saw the letters "Mc" flash across the screen.
"Hey," I called out. "Are you playing Webkinz?"
"Worse." Called a voice from the kitchen (my boyfriend). "McWorld."
Uh-oh. I wanted to jump up and tell her she wasn't allowed on that website and then explain to her very clearly why McDonald's is awful and so is advertising. Except I didn't. She isn't my child. Besides, that wouldn't be productive. When it comes to these things, it's almost better to just let it pass without making a thing about it, so the child doesn't have to rebel against you by eating MORE McDonalds or spending MORE time on their site. But - there you have it. Advergaming works. Shit. |
