Ad Supported Apps

Smart phones are definitely the way of life for many people. Having free apps with the sacrifice of having to ignore random ads while using those apps is often more than acceptable. The problem lies when the ad (literally) LIES. Especially when you (or your children) are redirected to very adult oriented sites.

While I am not opposed to adult oriented advertisement, I do have an issue of what apps run those advertisements. For instance, my children (girls ages 3 and 5) like to play child oriented games on my phone, ie. drawing, coloring, memory matching, puzzles, etc. It's not uncommon for them to accidentally bump the ad banner and open the ads. I usually just close them out and hand the phone back. However, twice in 2 days (more since I have been writing this) they have brought me the phone with an ad for RudeFinder.com. This is an adult dating site that boasts "Find a fu@# buddy tonight" clearly on the main page. The first time it displayed a fully nude woman in the "likely matches" (and in subsequent openings). The next one was less revealing with scantily dressed women in seductive poses. I saw the actual banner at one point also. They are being very cleaver about masking their true site by presenting themselves as an upbeat social activity site. Very unsuspecting until you actually open the ad.

Keep in mind, this was being advertised to my young children while playing a child's game on my phone. Hardly the appropriate place to promote sexual encounters. I know there are laws about monitoring and preventing the viewing of pornographic material in the United States. I also understand that ads are provided to another company that streams them to the apps, but they are obviously not monitored for content as this has been a very frequent occurrence over the past few days.

I know that ads can be targeted, so since they are being displayed in children's games, should I interpret that as they are soliciting sex to my children?

I have checked as best I can on how to report this as well and support is extremely limited. Aside from this forum http://forums.di.fm/suggestions-and-feedback/inappropriate-ads-on-android-app-231235/#post4480042, I was only able to find www.asa.org.uk which is a UK based ad monitoring agency. I filed a claim with them in hopes of supporting the children there, but I don't think they have much jurisdiction with my issue.

Please look into this issue. People need to know what their children could be getting exposed to with ad sponsored apps. If you can come up with a place to file official complaints, please let me know.