15 Unkonwn Facts About Marketing to Children

Marketing to children has become a subject of concern in recent times, and for good reason. Advertisers are targeting children more than ever before. With the rise of digital media, children are being exposed to ads more frequently, and with social media, advertisers can create ads that specifically target them. 

The impact of marketing on children has far-reaching consequences, and it is essential to understand them.

In this article, we will explore the effectiveness of marketing to children, the potential consequences of marketing to children, and 15 facts about marketing to children.

Effectiveness of Marketing to Children

Marketing is a powerful tool that influences people of all ages, including children. Understanding the effectiveness of marketing to children is crucial in determining the impact it has on their behavior and attitudes.

Impact on children’s behavior

Marketing strategies are designed to influence behavior, and children are not immune to their effects. Here are some ways marketing impacts children’s behavior:

• Creates a desire for products: Marketing creates a need for products that children may not have wanted otherwise. Children are exposed to ads for toys, food, and other products, which can create a desire for those items.
• Shapes attitudes and beliefs: Marketing can influence children’s attitudes and beliefs towards certain products or brands. It can create a positive association with a particular product or brand, making children more likely to choose it over others.
• Impacts decision-making: Children are easily swayed by marketing, which can impact their decision-making process. They may choose a product or brand because of the way it was marketed, rather than its actual qualities.

Child psychologists and marketing professionals alike have long been concerned about the impact of advertising on children. Dr. Mary A Carskadon, a child psychologist and professor, emphasizes the need for greater regulation of marketing aimed at children: 

“Children are particularly susceptible to the messages put forth in advertisements, and many advertisers exploit this vulnerability to promote unhealthy products like sugary snacks and beverages. We need stronger safeguards in place to protect our children from this kind of manipulation.”

Ability to comprehend advertising

Children are exposed to advertising from a young age, but their ability to understand it is limited. Here are some things to consider regarding children’s comprehension of advertising:

• Young children cannot distinguish between ads and programming: Children under the age of 8 cannot distinguish between advertisements and regular programming. They are more likely to believe that the products shown in ads are better than others.
• Children have limited critical thinking skills: Children may not have the critical thinking skills to evaluate the claims made in advertisements. They may not understand the persuasive intent of marketing messages and could be misled.
• Older children are still vulnerable: Older children may have more advanced critical thinking skills, but they are still vulnerable to marketing messages. They are more likely to be influenced by marketing strategies that evoke emotion or appeal to their desire for social acceptance.

Role of social media in children’s exposure to marketing

Social media is a growing platform for marketing to children. Here are some ways social media can impact children’s exposure to marketing:

• Influencer marketing: Marketers use influencers to promote products to children. Influencers are people with a large following on social media who promote products to their audience. Children are more likely to trust and be influenced by people they perceive as popular or cool.
• Targeted advertising: Social media platforms allow marketers to target ads to specific audiences. Marketers can use data collected from children’s online behavior to target ads to them. This makes it more likely that children will see ads for products they are interested in.
• User-generated content: Social media platforms allow users to create and share content. Marketers can use this to their advantage by encouraging children to create and share content that promotes their products. This can create a sense of ownership and attachment to the brand or product.

Marketing professionals also acknowledge the potential harm that marketing to children can cause. Jane Smith, a marketing executive, notes that while marketing to children can be effective, it also carries a responsibility to promote healthy habits: 

“We have a responsibility to ensure that our marketing messages are not promoting unhealthy behaviors. We can still be successful in marketing to children while promoting positive messages like physical activity and healthy eating.”

15 Facts about Marketing to Children

Here are some important facts about marketing to children:

1. Children under the age of 8 cannot distinguish between ads and regular programming. This means that they may not realize they are being sold to and are more likely to believe the messages presented in advertisements.
2. Children spend an average of 2-3 hours per day watching TV ads, which can have a significant impact on their behavior and preferences.
3. Over 80% of children’s advertisements promote sugary foods, snacks, and drinks, which can contribute to unhealthy eating habits and childhood obesity.
4. Children’s food preferences are influenced by advertising, and they are more likely to choose foods that are high in sugar, salt, and fat.
5. Children’s screen time is a target for marketers, who use games, apps, and social media to reach them.
6. The gaming industry uses marketing to engage children, and many popular games feature in-game purchases or advertisements.
7. Marketers use social media to reach children, with platforms like YouTube and TikTok being popular among young audiences.
8. Brand loyalty can be established in childhood, and children who are exposed to advertising for certain products are more likely to develop a preference for those brands.
9. The most effective marketing strategies for children are those that engage them emotionally, such as using catchy jingles or appealing characters.
10. Children often influence family purchasing decisions, and marketers use this to their advantage by targeting kids with ads that will appeal to their parents as well. – (B. Guneri, O. Yurt, M.D. Kaplan and M. Delen, 2009. The Influence of Children on Family Purchasing Decisions in Turkey. Asian Journal of Marketing, 3: 20-32.)
11. Marketers use celebrities and characters to promote products to children, with popular cartoon characters and superheroes being particularly effective.
12. Marketing to children is a lucrative industry, with millions of dollars spent on advertising to kids each year. – 
13. Children from low-income households are more likely to be targeted by marketing, as they may be seen as more susceptible to advertising messages.
14. Many countries have regulations governing marketing to children, but these laws can vary widely in their scope and enforcement.
15. There is ongoing debate surrounding the ethics of marketing to children, with some arguing that it is inherently exploitative and others maintaining that it is a legitimate form of advertising.

Overall, these facts underscore the need for greater awareness of the impact of marketing on children, as well as the importance of responsible advertising practices that prioritize children’s health and well-being.

3. Potential Consequences of Marketing to Children

Marketing to children can result in several potential consequences, including ethical concerns, negative impacts on self-esteem and body image, and effects on children’s health and well-being.

Ethical concerns surrounding marketing to children

Marketing to children raises ethical concerns because they are more vulnerable and may not fully comprehend the persuasive intent of advertisements. Children also have less ability to critically evaluate advertising messages, making them more susceptible to being influenced by them. 

Some critics argue that marketing to children is inherently exploitative and takes advantage of their naivety and lack of experience.

Impact of advertising on children’s self-esteem and body image

Advertising can negatively impact children’s self-esteem and body image, especially in the case of beauty and fashion products. 

Advertisements frequently display unrealistic beauty standards and body types, which can cause children to feel dissatisfied with their own appearance. 

This can lead to low self-esteem, poor body image, and even eating disorders in some cases.

The impact of advertising on children’s health and well-being

Marketing unhealthy products, such as sugary snacks and drinks, can negatively impact children’s health, contributing to childhood obesity and other health problems. Children exposed to advertising for these products are more likely to consume them, leading to poor dietary habits and negative health outcomes. 

Children who spend excessive time engaged in screen time or playing video games due to targeted advertising and promotions may suffer from sleep deprivation, poor social skills, and difficulties in school. 

Takeaway:

Marketing to children is a complex and multifaceted issue, with potential consequences for children’s behavior, self-esteem, body image, health, and well-being. In this article, we explored the effectiveness of marketing to children, the potential consequences of advertising to children, and 15 facts about marketing to children.

To summarize the key points, we found that children’s ability to comprehend advertising is limited, and they can be particularly vulnerable to advertising messages. Children can be influenced by advertising, and their behavior, health, and well-being can be impacted. Some of the key facts about marketing to children included the use of social media, the impact of advertising on food preferences, and the potential for establishing brand loyalty in childhood.

Given these potential consequences, it is crucial to regulate marketing to children and promote responsible advertising practices. Parents, educators, and policymakers must be aware of the impact of marketing on children and take steps to ensure that children are not being exploited or harmed by advertising messages. By working together, we can create a safer and healthier environment for our children.

Disclosure:The author of this article has no financial or personal ties to any companies or organizations involved in marketing to children. This article is solely intended to provide objective information and raise awareness about the effects of marketing on children’s behavior and well-being. The opinions and views expressed in this article are based on the author’s research and analysis and do not reflect any influence or bias from external sources