This article, “https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/28/style/balenciaga-campaign-controversy.html.” is written by Elizabeth Paton, Vanessa Friedman, and Jessica Testa. This article is published on December 2022.
The article touches upon a very controversial topic of putting children on the internet and using it as an ad cover. Balenciaga is known for its odd style of selling a remake of IKEA’s 99-cent shopping bag and destroyed sneakers. Around the time of late 2022, they posted an ad campaign, which lead to the allegation that Balenciaga condoned child exploitation. The controversy ended when the designer decided to take the blame for the feature of “six children clutching destroyed teddy bear handbags.”
I think this article is for all readers and readers that are children’s right activist.
I was intrigued by this article because I heard about this topic from a YouTuber called Stephanie Soo. I personally think that children shouldn’t be posted online as clout or as an ad campaign because there are some child predators out there.
Here are my questions for you:
- Do you think there should be an additional law to protect children from being on the internet?
- What comes to mind when you see child models?
- Will seeing a controversial topic with your brand stop you from shopping there?
24 replies on “Discussion Board”
Hi Camilla, I think I’ve seen some reports on this incident on social media. In Balanciage’s advertisement, the background is a pink girly bed but everything in this setting is opposite: black, adult, male. The model is holding a bear bag in which the bear is in a fishnet shirt and bondage gear. Since the girl looks sad, I thought Balanciage was trying to oppose child abuse or precocious, etcetera. Until I saw Kim Kardashian’s IG story, I realized it’s a more negative approach. I’m very neutral about child models. Whether the advertisement, picture, or video is appropriate depends on the campaign, and the brand’s planning and management.
For the third question, I would try to avoid these brands unless there is a product I really like and I can’t find any substitute. A brand’s political stance does affect my action of purchase, but not in an absolute way. I always think that customers should not be morally blackmailed. Buying or not buying is a personal choice and freedom. I’m disgusted with behaviors that some people boycott this brand (it’s fine) and educate people who buy this brand (big no-no for me).
I agree that some brand commercials or magazine shoots are not healthy for kids, but some brands do have better results with only child models. This is a question of the brand’s brand promotion planning whether it can plan advertisements and magazines suitable for child models.
I have also seen the news on this topic. I have seen the news and social media videos on this incident. This situation involves using kids who are so pure and innocent to portray a much more negative message. I think that the brand’s planning and management team knew very well what they were getting themselves into and knew how the public would react. Each item, person, and color had a purpose for being there.
I think that shopping for the brand is not a quite good decision but I think we should always respect people’s choices. I would say that shopping for a brand that gives such a message about using kids is not right so I would not go and buy from them but instead, look for a substitute in another store.
Hello Camilla, this topic at hand is highly debated. I believe it’s difficult to accurately determine what’s right or wrong without firsthand involvement. With regards to the first question, it may be beneficial to implement laws safeguarding individuals of all ages from being uploaded online. However, in certain cases, it may be unnecessary. If the person concerned has agreed to be uploaded on the internet via a contract with the advertising company, it is permissible. I support child models since certain products necessitate children’s involvement to increase awareness, like children’s clothing, toys, and baby products. As for the third question, if I come across a controversial brand, I’ll decide to comprehend the issue before making a purchasing decision.
I agree with you that an ad or magazine uploaded is reasonable if all parties involved agree to it. Even if there is a need for a law, it should be one that protects anyone who does not want to be uploaded online, not just children.
1. I think there can be laws to protect anyone who does not want to be uploaded online, but sometimes it is unnecessary, because it is reasonable to upload advertisements with the consent of all relevant parties.
2. The child models I have seen so far are all in advertisements for children’s clothing or magazines, as well as advertisements for some mother and baby products and toys. I don’t have any special idea about this. For me, children’s clothing and toys are the most suitable models for children. These magazines and advertisements are very normal if the relevant parties agree.
3. If there is a big controversy about a brand, it will make me hesitate. I will choose to wait and see. If there are no serious moral and principle issues, I will not be too resistant
I very much agree with your statement. After all, once a brand is controversial, we will choose to wait and see that one. Take a look at the situation and if it is really not good, then choose to give up. If it gets better later, you may also choose to try or check other people’s evaluations.
I definitely agree with you that there should be laws to protect children online but either way you are right that every parent is given consent about their child being posted online. If this incident was used with kids then the parents must know what they are getting their children into. In addition, I will also not be too resistant to serious morals and principle issues that the brand has committed.
I agreed with most of your points, such as laws to protect everyone on the internet, and check to see if the controversy topic is a serious issue. On the other hand, I think there is a need to have laws to protect people, especially children, because even if one is favorable being online in advertisements or something else, no one wants to experience something negative on the internet, so we need laws to prevent this situation from happening.
Indeed, it is reasonable and legal to shoot and upload ads with the consent of both parties, and there is no problem in this regard. I will buy a product when it does not violate ethics and principles, but if it does, I will put the brand on my blacklist.
1. Regarding whether there should be additional laws to protect children online, I think it is unnecessary. Protecting children online, this kind of thing can be told by parents’ children, and there are laws to protect people who don’t want to upload photos. It is legal to upload with consent.
2. I have no opinion on child models. After all, the fashion industry also needs children to act as models for clothes advertisements. As long as it’s legal, I’m fine with it.
3. I will choose to wait and see, and may not choose this brand for shopping for the time being. If the follow-up situation is really bad, I will definitely not buy any products related to this brand. If it’s the other way around, I’d love to try it out.
I agree with your thoughts, other than illegally forcing children to work, I think it’s normal for them to appear in ads. This article is really about pointing out the brand’s problem with extravagantizing all universal fixings. I think this is outrageous and it’s hard to imagine how a person who takes a dollar shopping bag and turns it into something expensive through his outlandish aesthetic would treat children.
This article was very informative about how messed up this world is and how adults in industries do not care about using children. I think there should definitely be an additional law to protect children from being on the internet. A law would help protect children that are used for clout or as ad campaigns. When I see child models I would think that it might be nice for them to wear nice-looking clothe. However, with all the bad news that adult models’ have to go through unfair rules and sign contracts with companies that end up affecting their lives so that makes me worry about how companies treat children. Furthermore, I go back to thinking that children might be forced to pose or wear stuff they do not want but they have to obey because they might not have a voice in their decisions. If I see a controversial topic my brand will stop me from shopping for them. I would like the shopping brand that I go to to have a good reputation or image because I do not want to shop for a brand that has done something wrong and shopping there means that I am supporting what they are doing.
You bring up an interesting point that I hadn’t thought of. For example, the unfair treatment that those small models will encounter in the future. Besides, I agree with your response. I also feel like we need these laws to prevent some of the bad things that little kids might encounter online. Regarding your last point, we have to judge whether these negative reputations are real or framed by other competing brands. Just because the brand is having a controversial issue, it doesn’t really determine if the brand is bad. But if the brand has done bad things, we absolutely should not go shopping in that brand.
I think your point is well taken, and I have seen examples of this. There is an entertainment company in China that trains child stars, teaching them to sing and dance, etc. It’s hard enough to tell if the kids really like it or if the parents are sending their good looking kids there because they are tempted by the money of the “stars”. I think this is very distorted thinking.
Hi Camilla! Thank you for sharing this article as this week’s discussion board. I think there doesn’t have to be an additional law to protect children from being on the internet because for some industries, using children models or children focused ads are necessary for their development. For example, children’s clothing and children’s products. If children are not allowed to be on the internet, it will bring a lot of negative impact for these industries and it will also hurt online shopping platforms. However, I think authorization is required to upload photos or ads online, whether it is an adult or child. If I see a controversial topic with my brand, I will stop myself from shopping there. I will try to find a replacement. At the same time, I hope the media can report more about if there is any big controversy about the brand, because with the marketing of the brand and the passage of time, many people may forget the negative image of the brand and continue to buy their products, which will make the victims feel bad. For instance, Synnara, a Koran record store which was founded by a cult leader and she used the money from her believers to start this record store. Many people continue to buy albums from this store because less people know about it as the time goes by. A recent documentary on Netflix rehash the bad thing they did to keep people from buying albums in their store.
I think you are right. Authorization is required for the use of photos and advertisements on the Internet, which is the best protection for themselves. I’ve heard that the Internet has a memory, but it’s just only for some people, because as time goes by, people are likely to forget the negative effects of those brands and continue to buy their products. This is sad behavior for people hurt by brands, except in the case of unknowingly buying their products before the incident happened.
I think there should be some additional laws to protect children because with the development of technology and the lack of security on the internet, it is very easy to discover and steal one’s personal information. Plus, without protection, going online may increase a child’s chances of facing cyberbullying, as more people get to know about them and may tease over their appearance, identity, etc. I often see child models in children’s clothing stores, so I do not have too much thoughts about it. For the last question, it really depends on what kind of controversial topic it was. For instance, if that topic hurt a person, then I might choose to stop shopping from that store.
Yes, the current Internet is very easy to steal personal information, and personal security becomes very important when people know personal information online. Cyberbullying can be fatal to anyone, let alone a child. They have not yet formed the correct values. When they are blindly judged by their appearance on the Internet, it is likely to cause children’s lack of self-confidence and fear of others’ comments.
We will now see some daily videos of children’s lives released on many short video software. To be honest, I’m not very disgusted, because it’s like a record of life. Just like the issue of whether children can surf the Internet, some software will prohibit children from appearing in live broadcasts, so as to prevent some people from using children to attract others’ attention to make money, etc. I think this is enough. Too many laws may not be able to protect some children who really need protection, but will restrict the environment that children can come into contact with. In my opinion, child models are needed for some things, and the use of child models in some aspects such as milk powder, children’s clothes, children’s daily necessities, etc. They will bring better publicity effects. Other than that I will decide on a case by case basis. In most cases, controversy will affect my shopping experience and make me hesitate about which brand I want to shop with. If it’s not a brand I particularly like, I’m quick to avoid it, but if it is, I try to find more information to judge for myself whether the controversy is real or not. Although I will be sad, if the dispute is serious I know it is not worth buying.
I think some laws and regulations can be formulated to protect children on the Internet. Because the mental development of minors is not mature enough and they are easy to be cheated, parents should be asked to pay more attention to their children’s online behavior (minors under the age of 13). The risks and challenges faced by online children are also increasing. It is essential to keep abreast of the latest developments and best practices for keeping children safe online. In my opinion, children’s models can include children’s photos or videos to promote products or services. Some children’s models may participate in fashion shows or other activities. This behavior can also make people feel comfortable. For the third question, I think that everyone has their own right to choose and view a thing. A controversial topic may lead them to stop shopping in a particular store or brand. On the other hand, some individuals may not be affected by the controversial topics related to the brand. So, I will carefully understand the cause of the matter and rationally view the controversial topic, they will not blindly follow the public’s ideas and actions.
When I see child models I think they are objects that are used by greedy businessmen.But for this topic I think it is controversial. In fact China already has child stars in the film and television industry, and many of them participate in shooting commercials. I think it is reasonable for children to appear in commercials if they are willing and love it. Also, I agree that children need protection on the internet, and perhaps they have always existed. The private use of children’s photos to gain consumer attention should be severely punished, but for those children who voluntarily go to participate in film and culture, I don’t think we should use bad words against them without knowing the truth.
I agree with you that it is possible to involve children in advertising when they want to, but they should not be forced to. People who use children’s photos or information to gain attention should be punished severely. Leaking photos or information about children is likely to have a bang or impression on children, and these effects are indelible.
I think there should be an additional law to protect the security of children’s information online to ensure that children and children’s family information is not compromised. I don’t think much when I see child models, they are there for the convenience of showing goods or products to all buyers or customers, so there is a need for them, but at the same time there is a need to protect the information of child models from unscrupulous people. When I see a brand with a controversial topic, I may first understand what the issue is and whether it touches my bottom line, if it does not touch my bottom line I may buy it, but if it exceeds it I may not buy it again.