Site of the Day: Ransom Notes Campaign
I'm featuring the Ransom Notes Campaign as a Site of the Day not because I endorse it -- I'll have more thoughts on that later today -- but because it's going to be out there, and you're going to see it, and your child is going to see it, and you need to be prepared and have your thoughts in order about it, too.
The intention of the campaign, which was produced pro bono by the advertising firm BBDO, is to raise awareness of children's psychiatric disorders and the need for treatment. The ads feature ransom notes "written" by these disorders to parents, indicating that their child has been abducted and will be made to behave in certain ways.
One example: "We are in possession of your son. We are making him squirm and fidget until he is a detriment to himself and those around him. Ignore this and your kid will pay … ADHD." Other threatening "notes" come from Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Bulima, Depression, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
According to a press release, "The new campaign will run on 11 billboards in December, 200 kiosks from December through the end of March, and in newspapers, magazines and on-line through the first quarter 2008 and then move into five major markets." It's already getting some attention on the Web, with many in the autism community blogging about it -- the Autism Vox blog has a listing of opinions to check out.
From the NYU Child Study Center's site on the campaign, you can get a good look at each of the notes, find more information about the disorders, learn about the intentions behind the campaign, read the press release, and send in your comments. After you do, come back here and answer the poll at right and share your comments below as well.
Comments
Wow. I already feel wounded when I watch my son try to navigate all these unspoken rules of interaction, when I read more about the other things he’ll have trouble with, etc. Now I get to see the worst features splashed up in an ad, in a world where we all know to never give in to terrorists and kidnappers or it’ll never end. And when I ask ‘ok, so what do I do now?’ there’s no answer. Just what we need in our already-difficult day!
Although the way these “ransom notes” are written is harsh, it needs to be said. People need to be aware of the signs so they may get early intervention.It also helps to raise awareness to people who are ignorant and like to think our children are just being spoiled brats.
Might work for those clueless parents out there, if they actually take heed. But really, those of us who live with these challenges and fears for our kids every day, it’s just another straw on our back. We already know what these disorders are doing to our kids. Thanks for nothing.
@ Dayna’s comment — the campaign does absolutely nothing to educate about early signs of any of the disorders. If it did, there might not be sucha hue and cry. What it *does* do is perpetuate the most negative and narrow stereotypes; I see this as running counter to educating and broadening perspective to encourage parents to seek help if they haven’t already. In addition, as we have personally experienced with our son, the narrow picture painted by these awful ads make it *harder* to identify children who are not at the severest or most critical juncture of the disorder. How autistic does one have to be to get diagnosed? How bulimic? How obsessive?
I think the ads will shock and surprise parents and grandparents and other family members into conversation and action regarding their children.
I have seen too many children suffer needlessly because their parents have their heads in the sand hoping that if they ignore the behaviors, they will go away.