Consumerism and consumer protection: a focus on young consumers

This chapter reviews the status quo on consumerism and consumer protection in relation to young consumers and suggests some future directions. Consumerism, which uses consumption and production as the root of an economically driven society, ensures the protection of consumer rights to fair trade. Consumer protection uses laws and organisations to establish and maintain the rights of consumers and provide an outline for the ethical operations of companies. The development of consumerism is rooted in American democracy, however, its catalysts vary based on the culture of the country in which it operates. Consumerism is often blamed for harmful effects on personal well-being such as anxiety, depression and self-esteem issues, especially among children. Considering that the postmodern society consists of various consumers ranging from old to young, it sounds logical to argue that consumerism and the consumer protection right is an appropriate part of societal systems.