Should airbrushed ads be banned / restricted?
Airbrushing should be banned in advertisements aimed at children to tackle “body image pressure”, say the Liberal Democrats. Altering photos to make them look better means children are subjected to “completely unattainable images”, said front-bencher Jo Swinson. The party also wants cosmetic surgery adverts to give their success rates. The Advertising Standards Authority said they received only a “small handful” of complaints on the issue. The Liberal Democrats, Britain’s third largest political party, have put forward measures aimed at protecting women and girls from pressure about their weight, and to promote healthy living. Ms Swinson said airbrushing should be banned in advertising aimed at the under 16s and should be clearly flagged up in adverts aimed at adults. The party also says body image and “media literacy” should be taught in schools and more sports activities offered to stop teenage girls dropping out of exercise. Among other proposals are for success rates to be included
