To think that John Lewis shouldn't encourage women to use their children to push products

[YoungGiftedPlump]

I saw this earlier. The only positive review for the JL Christmas jumper. Some reviewer paid to push the product who posted images of her children in doing so

It feels so wrong that people use their children in this way and exploitative of JL to encourage it

AIBU?

People put their kids forward for dance shows or tv documentaries or ghastly YouTube channels all the time. I can’t get overly worked up about someone putting a couple of nice pictures of their children in free jumpers on a review site. I wouldn’t do it myself, but people choose different stuff for their kids. Whatever.

But these children will grow up and their images will be there forever?

Would a law banning the use of children under 18 in advertising be better?

The outcome's no different to children modelling clothes in catalogues/websites.

I can't really get worked up over it, no.

And now you’re reposting here, exploiting the children even further

@MeredithGreyishblue

The outcome's no different to children modelling clothes in catalogues/websites.

I can't really get worked up over it, no.

But that money has to go into trust for the child?

They have to have an escort and their working hours and rights are protected?

@WithANameLikeDaniCalifornia

And now you’re reposting here, exploiting the children even further

Not really. they are also on the JL homepage in an advertising link.

@YoungGiftedPlump they have an escort on this photo! Their own parents by the look of it.

@YoungGiftedPlump

But these children will grow up and their images will be there forever?

Would a law banning the use of children under 18 in advertising be better?

So what? There’s children out there that have entire YouTube channels detailing everything from their first poo to first tantrum to first date. Kids whose serious illnesses are in the Daily Mail. There’s whole TV documentaries been made about what must be thousands of children - including intimate details of medical conditions, mental health, embarrassing moments, terrible parenting. Kids star in Super Nanny. People put their kids in tiny tutus for beauty pageants, let them be child models and create entire lines of merchandise about them (Jojo bows for example). A couple of nondescript photos of a kid in a Christmas jumper is absolutely nothing.

It’s not at all what I’d choose for my children, but people get to make different choices.

I think that I must just be very old fashioned.
I wonder how these insta children feel when they grow up?

I think you should stop banging this particular drum. It’s a non-issue.

They're in a photo with their own family wearing a Christmas jumper. I'm not sure what they could be upset about or who would be searching it out when they're adults.

Hardly parading them naked through the high street.

They clearly don’t need an escort / working rights protected / parental consent forms etc etc for their mum to take a few pictures in their home. Not sure how taking a few photos in your own house of your own kids could be viewed by you as exploitation. Totally different to a professional shoot where the child technically earns through money. Total non-issue to me.

@FangsForTheMemory

I think you should stop banging this particular drum. It’s a non-issue.

I was recently involved in a safeguarding case where an 11 year old was contacted online by someone claiming to be a celebrity. They found the child through the families online marketing/influencing activity and so I appreciate that I may be influenced by that.

YANBU - The photos are not necessary. A review with words is sufficient. I always wonder if this is more about the fragile ego of the posting parent.