Children's internet games -- health and obesity.  Sounds like a title that doesn’t compute -- what does one have to do with the other?  Well, darn plenty, it seems.  I’m all for the Internet. I love it and find all sorts of information to relish.    However, I’m also an adult, and hopefully by this time in my life I have formed some good ‘view and spew’ strategies to ignore the obvious hard sell of products.

 On the other hand our children and grandchildren are being relentlessly bombarded, and we may not even have realized it.

 While reading a recent article in the NY Times I was appalled and surprised to find that there are a ridiculous and growing number of games advertising food products to children online.  Can any parent say that planned product promotion in movies has NOT caused hand-wringing and graying hair as their children compete to have everything and anything related to the newest movie?  And BTW (by the way) and FYI (for your information), there are government-mandated commercial restrictions to the TV shows and movies.  Hard to believe isn’t it?

 In addition to the media advertising debacle, parents now have to be diligent about what games their kids are playing online because of food promotion!  Heck some of the goodies being advertised are semi ‘healthy’ foods.  The gist of the matter is that the Internet and food companies are all making ‘choices’ for the kids we are raising.

 It’s obviously not anything new, after all I was a believer in the “Leave it to Beaver” and “Dick Van Dyke” neighborhoods. (I realize this statement has dated me). I was halfway to 60 before I realized June Cleaver and Mary Tyler Moore aka Mrs. Van Dyke were a ridiculous and false portrayal of the perfect wife and mother.  I digress.

 I think it’s safe to say that most kids have the power to influence their parents and grandparents, older siblings and even the baby-sitter when they are aiming to get their way.  Could these online marketing games be another way to subvert a parent’s authority in the household ‘menu’ department?  Are some games OK, but others too much?  Have you as parents given any notice to the influence the internet games may be having on your children’s eating choices and habits?

In a more subtle way, but still making a play for ‘new’ customers McDonald’s offers McWorld, a Web site designed to give children the chance to create characters, decorate digital treehouses and go on a quest in a virtual world.  Although no food advertisement is present (ie., french fries, hamburgers and apple pies) the hope is that the child visitor will associate the ‘brand’ with the online activities offered; similar to product placement in a movie.

 I’m not suggesting that it is a problem, but I am advocating that it could get to be a problem.  So if don’t already have enough to do Mom and Dad, here’s another “look” at a possible problem that could be formulating.  Nip it in the bud, and make sure that your children’s eating choices are decisions you and your family make, not the manufacturers of ‘sweetness.’

 I guess the good news is that in opposition to what they perceive as a blatant push to encourage brand recognition of possibly unhealthy foods, the Federal Trade Commission has undertaken a study of food marketing to children, due out this summer, while the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity has said it is one of the reasons so many children are overweight.  Read more here on the impact of food advertising on childhood obesity.

 Such stories highlight the conundrum for parents with children using the web -- a much-needed educational tool for their kids’ versus the many private partnerships it has at its core. The internet emphasizes its open nature, but can often fall short in being the overseer of what and how topics get promoted.  The $$$’s for most companies is still the bottom line. 

 So, how much do parents need to know about online marketing to children? Is being aware enough? Should food companies face tougher regulations when it comes to online game and product interaction geared toward children?  Have you witnessed this issue first- hand in your household? Is it really a problem?  We welcome your feedback here!