Effect of advertisements on Gen X

Advertisements primarily aim towards promoting the sale of any product. Before the age of electronics print media and word-of-mouth were the favored ones, fast forward to today we have radio, television, internet and print media being some of the major ones.

Advertisements play on the psyche of the buyer and in cases they may be able to create a demand where there was none. Like products promising to give you wings or making hordes of girls follow you just by a spray on deodorant.

The current generation being technologically more literate has more chances of being exposed to any kind of ads with the advent of online media. There is social networking and video streaming websites and cartoons on television or product placement in video games. There is a constant interaction between the internet and its users, and companies try to capitalize on it.

The current generation, due to this excessive bombardment of ads, is unable to distinguish between their requirements and their desire, whether they need it or they want it. And ads nowadays try to further this confusion. Products are shown as lifestyle defining rather than being lifestyle supporting. A phone to make you look “sexier”, a drink to make you “manlier”, a toy to make your meal “happier” are all examples of exploiting the innocence of today’s generation.