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From the Editors of Common Sense Media
February 1, 2007
Kids are bombarded with advertising messages everywhere they turn. Helping them understand how advertising works can help protect them from being exploited by advertisers.
Start by teaching kids under 7 the difference between a TV
show and a commercial. Point out commercials, and use a timer to show them when the commercial begins and ends. Ask questions to help them recognize that the commercial's purpose is to sell them a product. What is the commercial selling? How does the commercial make them feel? Would they like to buy the product?
Once kids understand that advertising is about persuading them to buy a product, they can begin to identify other types of advertising messages -- such as product placement, Web site games, and guerilla marketing. Watch television or play a video game with your child, and find the products and logos used as a prop or part of the storyline. Have a conversation about how the messages try to get you to buy the product. Here are a few tips to get the conversation started.
1. Share some facts.
- Kids see more than 250,000 commercials aimed at their appearance by age 17.
- The food and beverage industry spends more than $10 billion targeting children and youths though TV ads, coupons, contests, public relations promotions, and packaging.
- 80% of the TV commercials are for fast food, candy, cereal and toys.
For more tips and the entire article, please visit: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/parent_tips/commonsense_view/index.php?id=203 .
(February 2007) (
