As a father of four young children, all under the age of 10, I cherish the time when we can sit together as a family and watch major sporting events on the weekends. However, the growing trend of airing R-rated movie commercials during these events is deeply distressing. Yesterday, just before the Super Bowl, a commercial for 'Scream 7' aired right after the national anthem. The graphic nature of such films is not suitable for young eyes, and these commercials can be frightening and inappropriate for kids.

Our weekend sports traditions should be safe and enjoyable for families without the fear of children being exposed to violent and mature content. Sporting events like the Super Bowl are national celebrations, events intended to bring people of all ages together. Yet, they're increasingly being used as avenues to promote films with graphic content that are simply not appropriate for a family-friendly audience.

According to recent studies, exposure to violent media can have adverse effects on children's mental health, leading to increased anxiety, fear, and aggressive behavior. Responsible broadcasting involves considering the audience, especially during times when families are likely watching together.

We are not arguing against the existence of R-rated movies or the studios' rights to advertise, but rather, we are advocating for the strategic planning of advertisement timing. Networks should ensure that sponsors promoting mature content have their commercials broadcast outside of family-oriented programming slots such as major sports fixtures (especially when children are likely to still be watching). This simple scheduling adjustment would protect children from unintended exposure to disturbing content while still allowing for market promotion.

I urge the broadcasting networks and regulatory authorities to take a stand and enforce stricter guidelines on commercial content during weekend sporting events. Let's work together to keep these family occasions safe and enjoyable for all.

At least 50% of viewers now watch via streaming. At the very least, this gives advertisers and the networks a very easy option to allow viewers to select whether they prefer "adult advertising" or "family friendly advertising." Not only would this allow families to protect their children, but it would provide the added benefit to the advertisers of ensuring their ads are seen by actual potential customers/viewers (akin to targeting marketing via social media). 

Please sign this petition to help ensure sporting events remain a safe space for families to bond without the intrusion of inappropriate content. Once enough signatures are collected, we plan on presenting this information to lawmakers on the national level. For more information about our law firm and other causes we support, or for media inquiries, please visit us at Patterson Law Group. Thank you for your support.