What´s the law?
What age group is protected under the BCAC?
Children under the age of 12
Can ads ask kids to tell their parents to buy something?
No, that’s against BCAC rules.
This fast-food chain was criticized for including toys in their kids’ meals, which violated rules about targeting children with promotions.
McDonald’s.
Can your favorite TV show characters sell you toys in commercials?
No, characters from TV shows can’t promote products in ads.
In a TV commercial, a cereal brand shows kids flying through the air like superheroes after eating the cereal. What’s wrong with this ad?
It creates unrealistic expectations of what the product can do, which is misleading to children.
What must ads directed at children avoid, according to the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards?
Being misleading or confusing
In what year was the Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children first introduced in Canada?
1971
This global cereal brand used cartoon characters like Tony the Tiger to attract kids to their sugary cereals, going against BCAC rules.
Kellogg’s.
Can cartoon characters be in an ad if they aren’t promoting anything?
Yes, they can appear in ads for fun but not directly promote the product.
A fast-food restaurant shows an ad where a famous cartoon character tells children to buy a meal to get a toy. What’s wrong with this ad?
It uses a cartoon character to directly influence kids and promotes pester power by encouraging them to ask their parents for the toy.
Can companies use cartoon characters to make kids want to buy things?
No, they can’t use characters to pressure kids into buying something.
What type of food ads can’t be shown during kids’ TV shows?
Ads for unhealthy foods like candy and chips.
This soft drink brand used bright, flashy colors and fun animations in ads to appeal to children, violating the BCAC’s rules on unhealthy food and drink advertising.
Pepsi
Can characters created just for ads promote products?
Yes, characters made specifically for ads can promote products.
A candy company runs an ad during a children's show that encourages kids to eat candy for fun and excitement. What’s wrong with this ad?
It promotes unhealthy food to children and encourages overconsumption of sugary products.
What is the BCAC?
It is a set of rules that make sure ads for children are fair and don’t trick them.
Can a toy company use a cartoon superhero in their ad for kids?
No
This toy company was criticized for using animated characters from its popular TV series to promote their products directly to children
LEGO
Can a character from a toy ad appear in the show that follows the ad?
It’s avoided, but sometimes it happens if scheduling makes it difficult.
A toy ad shows children playing with action figures that perform exaggerated, magical actions, like flying or shooting lasers. What’s wrong with this ad?
It creates unrealistic expectations about what the toys can do, which can mislead children.
Under the Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children, when can ads be broadcast during children's programming?
Only during commercial breaks
The BCAC mandates that ads directed at children must not contain which type of content?
Violence
This famous candy company faced backlash for showing ads during children’s TV programs, promoting unhealthy sugary snacks to kids.
Cadbury
Can a famous actor from a kids’ show promote a product in a commercial?
Only if they aren’t acting as their TV show character.
A snack ad features a popular celebrity talking directly to kids, telling them to buy the product. What’s wrong with this ad?
The BCAC restricts using celebrities to directly persuade children, as it can unduly influence their purchasing decisions.