Junk food advertising is “monopolising(垄断)” the Internet as television advertising comes under examination. Among 315 children’s websites, ads for soft drink, ice-cream, fast food and sugar are more than those for healthy foods by two to one.
Researchers looked at every food reference on 119 websites of companies active in advertising food and drink to children. They found that food references—anything from a picture or an article to an ad or a game—appeared on 44 per cent of popular children’s websites. Two-thirds of these were for unhealthy foods. Unhealthy products were three times more likely to be branded.
Many of the techniques used on food product websites for companies that included Cadbury, Nestle and Kellogg strengthen the food brand and make children spend more time seeing the product. More children spend more time on the Internet which captures and maintains children’s attention. It makes the Internet a powerful marketing medium.
Researchers found that 29 per cent of sites used advergames—in which the branded product is integrated (融入)into a computer game.The number of games per site varied. The Wrigley’s Candystand website contained 67 games. Those sites aiming at younger children and adults had a higher rate of advergames than those for preschool-age children, as did those sugary drinks , ice-cream and chocolate.
Kathy Chapman, the senior nutritionist at the Cancer Council, said, “The marketing is becoming a lot more complex. It used to be a couple of things; now it’s a whole range. The companies use different kinds of ways to promote their products and make them known. There’s a lot more things going on.”
68. According to the passage, television advertising about junk food .
A. is more popular than the Internet advertising
B. is becoming more and more varied
C. is being controlled at present
D. will be replaced by the Internet advertising
69. Why does the Internet become the favorite place for junk food advertising?
A. The Internet is becoming more popular with children than the other medium
B. The children believe in the advertisements on the Internet.
C. The techniques make junk food more attractive.
D. The number of children watching TV has dropped a lot.
70. What can we know about the advergames?
A. They are new websites to advertise junk food.
B. Most of the children’s websites have advergames.
C. They are popular advertisements for children.
D. Children can get the junk food advertisements through advergames.
71. What does the passage mainly talking about?
A. Junk food ads finding web home B. Junk food ads forbidden on TV
C. Junk food market expanding D. Junk food harming children
