HelloGiggles.com features the Truth In Advertising Act of 2014

Thank you to Jennifer Still at HelloGiggles.com for writing about the Truth in Advertising Act of 2014. http://hellogiggles.com/photoshopped-ads-completely-banned

As a related sidenote, we just want to remind everyone that this bill will not impede the right to free speech, in part because advertisements are commercial speech. Also, because the bill simply instructs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report recommendations for regulatory framework with respect to advertising in order to promote truth-in-advertising and protect the consumers, in particular children and girls, from harm. To that end, Lois Capps said it so well, "Just as with cigarette ads in the past, fashion ads portray a twisted, ideal image for young women. And they’re vulnerable. As sales go up, body image and confidence drops."

Below are just a few reasons why the Eating Disorders Coalition teamed up with the dad who conceptualized the idea for this bill and with Members of Congress Representative Capps, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Congressman Ted Deutch to make the bill a reality:

Three of the most common mental health problems among girls (eating disorders, depression and depressed mood/self- esteem) are linked to media’s representations of women and girls.

42% of girls in 1st through 3rd grades want to be thinner.

51% of girls aged 9 -10 feel better about themselves when they are dieting.

53% of 13 year-old girls are unhappy with their bodies; 78% of 17 year-old girls are unhappy with their bodies.

80% of women feel worse about themselves after seeing a beauty advertisement.

By the time they are 17, children have seen 250,000 television commercials telling them they should be a decorative object, sex object or a body size they can never achieve.

There are three easy ways YOU can be an advocate of change:

Sign this petition: https://www.change.org/petitions/join-our-family-to-stop-advertising-that-hurts-our-children-support-hr4341-the-truth-in-advertising-act

Vote on PopVox: https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/113/hr4341/

Write or call your Members of Congress: http://www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org/write-letter.htm