Creepy Little Kids Trying To Sell Me Things

What is this new television advertising trend where odd children are used in commercials? It all started with Mazda and that 'zoom zoom' kid. Tonight during the football games, Volkswagen started running an ad with another kid who looks just a little 'off', and now IBM features this truly disturbing young blond freak.

Then again, since I remember them I suppose the commercials are a success.