Activity 01
Debate Carousel: Regulation Trade-offs
Assign small groups to roles: consumer advocates, advertisers, regulators. Provide ASA case studies and data on complaint outcomes. Groups rotate stations to argue and rebut positions, then vote on policy changes. Conclude with whole-class synthesis of key trade-offs.
Analyze how government provision of information can correct market failures.
Facilitation TipDuring Regulation Trade-offs, circulate to ensure each group records both economic and ethical arguments on their poster before rotating.
What to look forPose this question to the class: 'Imagine you are advising the government on whether to introduce mandatory calorie counts on restaurant menus. What are the economic arguments for and against this policy, considering information failure and consumer choice?'
AnalyzeEvaluateCreateDecision-MakingSelf-Management
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Activity 02
Case Study Dissection: Junk Food Ads
Pairs examine the 2021 HFSS ad ban: review pre- and post-ban obesity data, ASA rulings, and industry responses. Chart pros, cons, and evidence of effectiveness. Share findings in a class gallery walk for peer feedback.
Evaluate the effectiveness of advertising regulations in protecting consumers.
Facilitation TipFor Junk Food Ads Case Study, provide a graphic organizer with columns for claim, evidence, ASA ruling, and market failure addressed.
What to look forAsk students to write down one example of government information provision and one example of advertising regulation they have encountered this week. For each, briefly explain the market failure it aims to address.
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Activity 03
Mock ASA Hearing: Design and Judge
Small groups create a fictional ad campaign with deliberate info gaps, then pitch to a 'regulator' panel of students. Panel questions and rules based on ASA codes, citing evidence. Rotate roles for full participation.
Explain the trade-offs between consumer protection and freedom of speech in advertising.
Facilitation TipIn the Mock ASA Hearing, assign roles the day before so students prepare positions using the ASA’s adjudication framework.
What to look forPresent students with a hypothetical advertisement for a new energy drink. Ask them to identify potential misleading claims and suggest what regulations or information provision could mitigate these issues, explaining their reasoning.
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Activity 04
Info Label Redesign Challenge
Individuals redesign a real product label to maximize clarity, using government guidelines. Pairs then critique each other's for gaps and test comprehension with quick quizzes. Discuss as whole class how provision aids decisions.
Analyze how government provision of information can correct market failures.
Facilitation TipDuring the Info Label Redesign Challenge, require students to submit a one-page rationale linking their design choices to consumer behavior insights.
What to look forPose this question to the class: 'Imagine you are advising the government on whether to introduce mandatory calorie counts on restaurant menus. What are the economic arguments for and against this policy, considering information failure and consumer choice?'
AnalyzeEvaluateCreateDecision-MakingSelf-Management
Generate Complete Lesson→A few notes on teaching this unit
Start with concrete examples students recognize—like calorie counts on menus or ‘high in sugar’ warnings—before introducing theory. Research shows role-play and case studies deepen understanding of regulatory mechanisms more effectively than abstract lectures. Avoid overemphasizing the ‘good vs. bad’ of regulation; instead, frame it as a balancing act between competing interests and information gaps.
By the end of these activities, students should confidently explain how asymmetric information distorts markets, evaluate the costs and benefits of regulation, and propose evidence-based solutions. Look for clear articulation of trade-offs, references to UK institutions like the ASA, and nuanced discussion of consumer harm versus business freedom.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
During the Regulation Trade-offs debate, some students assume all regulation benefits consumers without costs.
Use the Debate Carousel’s poster notes to redirect students to the compliance burdens mentioned in the ASA’s annual report, prompting them to quantify trade-offs in their arguments.
During the Mock ASA Hearing, students may believe the ASA can eliminate all misleading ads without considering enforcement limits.
During the Mock ASA Hearing, ask students to review the ASA’s 2023 complaints report to identify which types of ads are most frequently upheld and why, grounding their judgments in real data.
During the Info Label Redesign Challenge, students assume clearer labels always lead to better choices.
During the Info Label Redesign Challenge, require students to test their designs with a quick survey of peers, then analyze whether the new format actually improves comprehension or just adds visual clutter.
Methods used in this brief