Censoring Junk Food On TV - Is That Taking The Issue Too Far?

Every morning on my way to work I keep myself entertained by reading the metro newspaper (or sometimes BBC News’ mobile edition from my phone). It is, from my point of view, the best free newspaper and I always feel happy if I manage to find a copy still available at the metro station, on the metro or bus.

But what does that have to do with Junk Food and Censorship you might ask?

Well, Today’s front page was dominated by a headline and article regarding junk food advertising on TV. Unbelievably people and organisations are campaigning to restrict the broadcasting of adverts featuring junk food before 21:00 (9PM).

I don’t understand how that would change the consumption of junk food by children. After all, the biggest advertisements are the shops, cafes and restaurants selling such foods and/or confectionery that kids will see everywhere. Obviously, there is no legitimate reason to shut them down or a blanket ban of food products that can be harmful to one’s health if one does not take proper care of their body.

It really is just a matter of educating children from a young age the potential harm that junk food and/or lack of exercise can do to the body. Junk food can’t be hidden, never mind how we try, and we shouldn’t try to hide it as children are going to learn about its existence one way or another.

Imagine that this censorship is in place and your child goes to the local store and has a look around for something to eat. A chocolate bar catches their eye so little Johnny of Bethany decides to purchase the nice looking snack believing it’s just a new kind of food for them to try and do not realise that it’s (allegedly) "harmful" to their health. They do not realise that their parents, and completely external organisations, have been trying to hide the existence of such foods from them. The child enjoys the chocolate so much that they decide to shares this new found discovery with friends. And so the wheel is in motion. The censorship didn’t work. Your children are now eating chocolate.

Children are curious about anything new - it’s human nature - and will try what interests them. That can never be stopped. Remember when you were young? Remember your parents or teachers saying, "don’t touch/do …" but you did anyway?

While more should be done to promote healthier eating and exercise, censorship is taking it too far. This is supposed to be a free society. Let’s keep it that way.