People are surrounded by many kinds of advertising which can influence their life. Do the positive effects of this trend outweigh negative effects?
利弊相当
These days, people can see advertisements almost everywhere. I believe that advertising can positively influence some consumers while others may be negatively affected.
On the positive side, advertising is an effective tool for a company to raise people’s awareness of new products and maintain the popularity of existing ones. For consumers, it keeps them informed about creations that can make their life more enjoyable. For example, before new movies are released, advertisements not only remind moviegoers to buy a ticket but also draw attention from potential viewers who may enjoy the experience. Without the informing tool, fans of those movies probably would have to constantly call local theatres to confirm the release time whereas others may never know that there are great movies available to relieve stress.
As to whether advertising can produce negative influences on people, it certainly can. It often persuades consumers to purchase products they do not need or cannot afford. For example, a smartphone commercial might convince us that we need the latest smartphone model when our own phones are still in good condition or the price of the new model is over our budget. Advertisements for alcohol, cigarettes, or prescription drugs might lead to underage drinking, alcoholism, or drug addiction. Misleading information shown in an advertisement often glamourizes a product to the point where consumers are only exposed to the benefits of the product, rather than the possible negative side effects.
In conclusion, the influences of advertising can be seen in both positive and negative ways. The positive effects do not necessarily offset the potential negatives.