WHAT'S NEXT

1800AnyLens.com: Don't Use Bullying As a Back-To-School Marketing Ploy
  1. Signatures
    366 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. 1800AnyLens.com (+ 1 other)
      Petitioning
      close
      • 1800AnyLens.com (Ally Sperber)
      • 1800AnyLens.com (1800AnyLens.com)
  2. Created By
    Shannon Cuttle
    Detroit, MI
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates
How We Won

Aug 31, 2011

Eye care company 1800AnyLens.Com had been using the fear of bullying in a recent back-to-school marketing campaign that targeted parents and caregivers to purchase their product.

But after more than 350 advocates for safe schools joined an online campaign on Change.org led by safe schools advocate Shannon Cuttle, telling the company that exploiting parents' and students' fears of bullying was unacceptable, 1800AnyLens.Com has apologized and pledged not to use bullying in marketing pitches in the future. Read their apology here.

Bullying and harassment at school is a serious threat that directly affects the health and well being of youth across the country.  

But eye care company 1800AnyLens.Com has been using the fear of bullying  in a recent back-to-school marketing campaign that targets parents and caregivers to purchase their product.

"In a society where appearances dominate perceptions, physical features have unfortunately influenced bullying. Kids are afraid to look stand out because of their difference of appearance; making them a potential bullying target.  Consequently, many young children with conditions such as astigmatism grow wary about their eye-wear in fear that they will be called “nerd” or “freak” by their peer aggressors.  As a result of school-hall torment (and an attempt to avoid) the student may remove their helpful glasses.  This action could lead to increased sight impairment and (increased) lack of educational focus. Contacts can help to avoid this," the advertisement reads. 

This campaign spreads fear and inaccurate information on bullying and is extremely harmful as it stigmatizes youth who have been bullies or are being bullied and harassed. The fact is, many who are bullies have been victims themselves of bullying and harassment. This type of marketing language is meant to only to elicit fear to purchase a product.

Tell 1800AnyLens.com to stop this marketing campaign immediately, and commit to never using bullying and harassment as a marketing ploy again.

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

1800AnyLens.Com: Stop using bullying as a marketing tool

Greetings,

I just signed the below petition at Change.org:

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Bullying and harassment at school is a serious threat that directly affects the health and well being of youth across the country.

But eye care company 1800AnyLens.Com has been using the fear of bullying in a recent back-to-school marketing campaign that targets parents and caregivers to purchase their product.

"In a society where appearances dominate perceptions, physical features have unfortunately influenced bullying. Kids are afraid to look stand out because of their difference of appearance; making them a potential bullying target. Consequently, many young children with conditions such as astigmatism grow wary about their eye-wear in fear that they will be called “nerd” or “freak” by their peer aggressors. As a result of school-hall torment (and an attempt to avoid) the student may remove their helpful glasses. This action could lead to increased sight impairment and (increased) lack of educational focus. Contacts can help to avoid this," the advertisement reads.

This campaign spreads fear and inaccurate information on bullying and is extremely harmful as it stigmatizes youth who have been bullies or are being bullied and harassed. The fact is, many who are bullies have been victims themselves of bullying and harassment. This type of marketing language is meant to only to elicit fear to purchase a product.

I am asking 1800AnyLens.com to stop this marketing campaign immediately, and commit to never using bullying and harassment as a marketing ploy again.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

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