Ketto's Bombardment on Youtube Ads : The Ethics of Graphic Crowdfunding Ads

Crowdfunding has been gaining popularity as a means of raising funds for various causes and projects. Ketto is one such platform that has been successful in leveraging advertisements via various mediums to fulfill the donation needs of its numerous crowdfunding campaigns. However, the recent bombardment of Ketto ads on Youtube has caused concern among some users.

The Ketto ads on Youtube feature graphic images of babies and children who are in need of medical attention, education, or other basic necessities. While the intent of these ads may be to evoke empathy and encourage donations, some users find the images nauseating and disturbing.

Moreover, Youtube does not provide an option to block advertisements from any particular organization or company. This has led to a situation where users are constantly subjected to Ketto ads on the platform, regardless of their preferences or sensitivities.

The issue of graphic images in advertisements is not new. Advertisers often use graphic images to grab the attention of their target audience and create an emotional connection with them. However, there is a fine line between being emotionally persuasive and being emotionally manipulative.

While Ketto's ads may be well-intentioned, their use of graphic images may come across as manipulative to some users. Moreover, the constant bombardment of these ads on Youtube without the option to block them can cause distress to users who are sensitive to such imagery.

Platforms like Youtube should also provide users with the option to block advertisements from specific organizations or companies to ensure that users are not subjected to content that they find distressing or offensive. It is important for advertisers to strike a balance between being persuasive and being respectful of their audience's sensibilities.

Famous columnist Nandita Iyer took to Twitter and wrote "Anyone else think that the Ketto ads are hounding you whichever page you open on the internet? You cannot even check email without the image of a sick baby in your face.
P.S. I do my share of charity and don't need constant reminders via their ads. I mean the ads that are all over the internet featuring sick / dying babies. It’s just overwhelming and way too much"