Morningstar wrote:
Having gone to Northwestern law school and having worked in corporate law for many years, I know for a fact that any corporation who signs up for any advertising signs a contract for this. And the contract specifically says what you can and cannot do. If the Neopets corporate attorney didn't put something in the contract stating that sexual references were prohibited from all ads, then he isn't the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree. If he did put that in, then Neopets needs to take legal action against the advertising company and, perhaps, should make a point of previewing all ads before they are released to the public.
By showing those ads, they are going against everything said in their Press Kit about how safe and trustworthy Neopets is. Quote: "Neopets follows the guidelines established by the Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU), a self-regulatory forum set up by the advertising industry in conjunction with the Council of Better Business Bureaus to review and provide guidelines concerning advertising and promotional materials directed at children in all media." NO, they don't. If you check CARU, they are not following the guidelines.
Quote: "Importantly, parents trust Neopets. Thanks to the diligence of the site's round-the-clock team of monitors and e-mail support staff, Neopets, Inc. works vigilantly toward its goal of maintaining a safe and fun online environment for all ages." NO, by advertising sex on the site, it is no longer a safe environment for all ages. I know of many moms who play Neopets with their littler kids sitting in their laps or right next to them. The account is Mommy's, but the little kid helps out by feeding the pets, etc. Not too cool if the 5 year old who like to play the Disney games asks Mommy what "heat of the moment" is. Not too cool if Mommy has to try to explain that to her little kid.
OK, I was going to stay out of this one, it's such a hot topic (no pun intended). BUT Morningstar and Adam bring up good points.
When all is said and done, the site itself IS responsible for the ads. If there's an ad or anything else on the site that is not COPPA compliant it has to go. Otherwise, Neo or any other family/child friendly site can lose that important rating. And I think it is important. I think if people wrote to the COPPA site or even the BBB about these ads, there would be some very interested people. Along with the adware/spyware/ads that do go to bad sites (that system tray ad is a total scam site).
They are going against everything they say and they're going against everything in their own T&C and Chat Rules - no saying sex, sexy, hot (in any context - not even a hot cup of tea or how hot the weather is - you're suddenly VERY cold).
I took a look at the ss of that second ad and I too am appalled. That goes way beyond what should be acceptable for the site, not to mention right down there in the uber-tasteless department along with that roach ad.
I'm sure there was a contract. I wonder who actually wrote it though. Maybe the ad network, and not Neopets? Or if someone from Legal at Neo did write it up, well, just look at the T&C to see how well and clearly they sometimes write or phrase things.
Someone needs to be put in charge of "policing" the ads that the ad network is putting on the site, making note of those that are click-thru to a bad site, along with inappropriate material.
Whether someone lies about their age (so they can use the boards, change their lookups/shops or whatever) isn't the issue, though I don't think people should lie ... it's an issue of some things on a virtual escape-from-reality family friendly with a "wholesome", safe atmosphere just don't belong there.
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