News-Record.com

When I was in charge of this sort of thing at UNCG's student paper, I'm sure the university would have prefered we not take certain kinds of ads. I was - and am - of the opinion that if you're going to sell a product, even if that product is ad space, it's unethical to refuse to sell to legal businesses.

That being said, I think quantifying where certain kinds of ads should go makes sense, if only to avoid being a gag on Jay Leno.

Thanks for taking the ad off the web page. I don't consider that "politically correct." .It takes a village to raise a child and the N&R is part of that village. We do not need to pitch alcohol directly to kids--they get enough encouragement indirectly.

In actuality.... I'd probably run this through your attorney at the paper. Or actually, one that specializes in cyber-law. If I'm not mistaken, as a private corporation, you can police your websites all you want. As a public one, the moment you start policing it, then you're putting the paper in the seat of taking responsibility for controlling the intake of what goes here or there.

While I can see the potential issue with "over 21" ads going to "under 19", really the only thing that is needed from a business perspective is a disclaimer that you don't police the content of ads (of which, I don't see why you should have to from the business side of things).

As for alcohol going to minors. Let's be honest. Who doesn't know that you're not supposed to drink if you're under 21? It's the same as buying smokes. Personally, I never bought into that whole "village raising a child" concept. Sorry, but my parents taught me what I should and shouldn't do. Are you a product of your environment? Sure. But, parents have the overall responsibility in guidance. Quit pushing off the accountability to others.

My two cents.

darkmoon-

I agree with one point you made--parents are responsible for teaching their children what they should do and what they shouldn't do.

However, that does not happen in a vacuum. Setting a minimum drinking age, keeping adult material out of prime time television or keeping alcohol ads off sites specifically geared for high schoolers is not pushing accountability onto others. It is simply acknowledging that minors are not adults and that, in general, our community should not treat them as adults. Yes, "it takes a village" is a cliche but responsible adults in our community must support parents in their efforts--not work against them.
Our future depends on it.

@Thoughts for your penny -
If keeping adult materials off of prime time television was such a big deal, then the last decade wouldn't have had an increase in the violence and more racy subjects during prime time. Classic example. CSI is TV-14. Subject matters however are way outside the scope of minors (from drugs, to prostitution). Comes on at 8PMEST.

Acknowledging that young people know a lot more than they let on actually gets you a lot farther than treating them like children. With racier subjects and the desensitization of ourselves with movies like the Saw series, and Hostel, things will progress as they do because... well, society allows it to do so.

I'm not condoning keeping the beer ads on the site, but rather that N&R really from a business perspective shouldn't have to pull it when it wasn't meant as a targeted audience (but rather an ad rotation through sites) nor would high school students actually be like... "oh wow... let's go buy beer." In fact, I'd imagine they'd get a laugh out of it.

In that sense, I disagree with how younger individuals should be treated and must point out the fact that business is driven by margins. And while N&R has much more of the human element in it, it is still indeed a business. As the saying goes: "Dealing with people is probably the biggest problem you face, especially if you are in business. Yes, and that is also true if you are a housewife, architect or engineer." - Dale Carnegie

darkmoon-

I appreciate your thoughtful comments; however I still disagree with you.

Just because there is an increase of "violence and more racy subjects" on prime time does not make it right and doesn't justify continuing it.

Pulling ads for alcohol off a section of the website geared towards teenagers is not treating teenagers like children. It is setting high standards for teenagers. It doesn't matter if the ads are rotated, if it's legal, what the business margins are, whatever...we have to be conscious about the messages that we, as responsible adults, send to both children and teenagers. And, yes, it takes that ubiquitous village.

Finally, your saying that young people know more than we think they do is not a good enough response. Children and teenagers have always known more than we think they do...what else is new?

Alas, darkmoon, you and I may have to agree to disagree.

@Thoughts for your penny

Unfortunately, the difference between you and I is a matter of ideal versus reality. Long ago, I've given up trying to fight against larger entities and have moved to winning battles that I have a chance in. Approaching it from the way I do, is my way of turning the tables in my favor against societal pressures.

I agree on the ideal level that violence and racy subjects don't justify it. But knowing how teens function is inherent in gaining trust and thus guiding them down the right path. Taking an authoritative stance usually doesn't work as well unless you're the parent(s) (and even then there are many other variables). Society drives our children to grow up earlier (with cosmetics, clothes, media, and so forth). The only way to combat it from my perspective is to take the different approach.

As said above, it is unfortunate. But in the real world, things don't work like they should. Justice system should be about the moral right and wrong, but it isn't. The media should be "fair and balanced" but it's but one perspective. We might all try to follow the ideals through faith and lifestyles, but honestly the world in itself is a much nastier place.

Like everyone else, we all try in our own way to make it a better place. I'm just more cynical. lol.

Actually, I am as far from authoritarian as one can get.
What you might be missing in my writing that you might pick up on with voice inflection and tone in spoken word is that I have been an advocate for children for many years.