13 Public Service Announcements That Traumatized a Generation
These 13 public service announcements were intended to educate, but their graphic content left lasting emotional scars on an entire generation.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Public service announcements have long been used to deliver urgent warnings to the public, especially children and teens. However, during the 1970s to early 2000s, many campaigns used extreme fear-based messaging. These PSAs were so disturbing and emotionally intense that they became a source of anxiety and trauma for viewers, especially younger ones.
1. “Charlie Says” (UK)
Edward S. Curtis on Wikimedia Commons
This series aired in the 1970s and featured a boy and his cat, Charlie, warning children about dangerous situations. The cat would meow, and the boy would interpret the advice, often related to safety. The animation was rough, the music unsettling, and the atmosphere bleak. Many children found the tone disturbing and remembered the messages with discomfort years later.
2. “House Hippo” (Canada)
Evelyn Simak on Wikimedia Commons
This commercial started as a fictional wildlife documentary showing tiny hippos living in Canadian homes. It seemed innocent until the ending revealed it was a media literacy PSA urging kids not to believe everything they see on TV. The shift in tone caused confusion and unease. Many children believed the hippo was real, and the correction felt like a betrayal of trust.
3. “Fire Kills” (UK)
Sebastian Ritter on Wikimedia Commons
These fire safety PSAs often showed children playing with matches or lighters that led to fatal house fires. They included realistic sound design and visuals of burning homes and crying victims. The goal was to shock viewers into being cautious. Many children who saw these ads developed strong fears of fire and home safety hazards.
4. “Think!” Drink Driving (UK)
Airman 1st Class Areca T. Bell on Wikimedia Commons
This campaign showed realistic car accidents caused by drunk driving, often involving pedestrians or young victims. The scenes were quiet, with heavy emphasis on the moments just before impact. The silence made the crashes more jarring and emotionally intense. These PSAs are still remembered by many as among the most upsetting shown on UK television.
5. “Meth: Not Even Once” (US)
Tony Webster on Wikimedia Commons
These ads portrayed the physical and emotional decline of methamphetamine users with graphic realism. Viewers saw the before-and-after effects, including facial sores, broken families, and violent behavior. The tagline “Not Even Once” emphasized how quickly addiction could begin. The campaign was effective but also emotionally distressing for many teens.
6. “The Crash Test Dummies” (US)
Transport For NSW on Wikimedia Commons
Created by the U.S. Department of Transportation, these PSAs featured anthropomorphic crash test dummies who humorously demonstrated the consequences of not wearing seatbelts. While the characters were meant to be approachable, the impact scenes were loud, violent, and abrupt. The contrast between comedy and injury caused discomfort for some viewers. It made a strong point but often left kids shaken.
7. “Reconstituted Chicken” (UK)
Eugène Trutat on Wikimedia Commons
This school-based PSA showed children how processed chicken nuggets were made, using leftover fat, bone, and connective tissue. A cafeteria worker ground up the ingredients in front of the students. When asked if they still wanted to eat it, most said yes, but the footage disturbed many viewers. It was part of a broader campaign to educate children on food awareness, but the graphic presentation made it memorable for the wrong reasons.
8. “Heroin Screams” (UK)
Matthew T Rader on Wikimedia Commons
This PSA featured a woman using heroin in silence, followed by a single, raw scream at the end. It was a short ad but extremely impactful. The emotion in the scream felt real and unnerving. Viewers reported feeling disturbed even if they did not fully understand the drug’s effects.
9. “Your Brain on Drugs” (US)
Gaetan Lee on Wikimedia Commons
This widely aired American PSA showed an egg being cracked into a frying pan, with the narrator saying, “This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs.” The sizzling sound and serious tone made the message feel intense. While the metaphor was simple, the ad had a surprisingly strong emotional effect. It became one of the most recognizable anti-drug PSAs of its time.
10. “Lonely Water” (UK)
Jeremy Bolwell on Wikimedia Commons
Narrated by Donald Pleasence, this ad warned about the dangers of drowning in open water. The visuals were dark and foggy, and the narrator played a ghost-like figure representing death. His voice was monotone and slow, adding to the chilling effect. Many children who saw it developed a long-term fear of lakes, ponds, and rivers.
11. “I Learned It by Watching You” (US)
Rebcenter-moscow on Wikimedia Commons
In this PSA, a father confronts his son about drug use, and the son responds with the line, “I learned it by watching you.” The scene is quiet but emotionally charged. It aimed to hold parents accountable for their own behavior. The line became widely quoted and often referenced in discussions about family influence.
12. “Texting While Driving” (US)
Edbrown05 on Wikimedia Commons
This campaign showed realistic car crashes caused by distracted teen drivers texting behind the wheel. The scenes involved actual crash aftermaths, including injury and death. The realism was high and often left viewers upset. The goal was to highlight the deadly consequences of even a few seconds of distraction.
13. “Anti-Smoking Body Bags” (US)
1st Class Bruce McVicar, US Navy on Wikimedia Commons
Teenagers were shown unloading body bags outside a major tobacco company’s headquarters. The bags represented the number of people who die daily from smoking-related causes. The imagery was blunt and intended to provoke. Many viewers found it jarring and emotionally overwhelming.