This study shows how advertisers want children to take advantage of new ways to sell their wares.
“We should also approach YouTube influencer videos, with educational or child-friendly videos,” said Mary Bragg, assistant professor of public health nutrition and senior author at New York University’s School of Global Public Health with Joint Appointments. Langon Medical Center.
Of the 18 YouTube videos that came up in their search criteria, the researchers found that 199 videos contained food or beverages, with 90% of cases showing unwanted branded items such as fast food.
Those exclusive YouTube videos were viewed more than a billion times.
A new kind of marketing
It is important to keep track of what kind of food is being advertised to children. This is because eating habits during childhood can have a significant impact on their chances According to past research, becoming obese or developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes later.
With so much food being advertised on television, companies are turning to a growing audience on social media sites like YouTube.
One of the most important aspects of the study, Bragg said, focused solely on the fact that YouTube’s most popular under-18 host often promotes products directly, and children are always led to the message.
“This type of marketing is an incredible field for families and researchers.” Parents “feel like they’re arranging their kids to play another child in their backyard,” not the kids encouraging Chicken McNuggets for a fee.
This is especially true during epidemics when there are few disease activities and parents turn to school time to keep children occupied while working from home.
“While the adult digital ecosystem is driven by ad revenue and inspiring design, that doesn’t mean children should have a digital space,” said Radesky, who is also an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan. “We need new children’s design ethics in the US.”
“Young children see the stars of these videos as companions and friends and don’t understand that YouTube stars like Ryan are so enthusiastic about the specialty products out there because they are stealth marketers.”
The tide awareness around food influencers in YouTube influencers and their videos could change the industry, as the stars continue to cultivate their relationship with their fans.
“Ryan World cares deeply about the well-being of our viewers and their health and safety is our number one priority,” said Susan Yee, a spokeswoman for Ryan World’s production company Sunlight Entertainment via email.
“In this way, we adhere to all platform service conditions, as well as any guidelines set by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels.”
He said Ryan World American Academy “welcomes” a new study of pediatric pediatrics.
“As we continue to develop our content, we look forward to working together in the future to benefit the health and safety of our audiences,” Yin said.
CNN reached out to YouTube’s parent company, Google, to comment on the story, but never heard back. Reached out to CNN, McDonald’s and SNAC International, the leading trade organization for the snack industry. (“SNAC” means snacks, nutrition and convenience.)
New law to protect children
The Federal Trade Commission and state authorities should strengthen rules regarding product placement on YouTube videos that feature young children, the NYU researcher argued.
CNN has contacted the FTC for comment.
The law will be enacted in the Children’s Privacy Online Privacy Protection Act, passed in 1998, before the emergence of YouTube and ticketing platforms such as YouTube and Snapchat.
The bill seeks to protect children from the effects of effective marketing, as well as design features such as auto-play, which can increase the time children spend on screens or using apps.
The Kids Act will enforce auto to play settings and alerts on sites frequented by children and adolescents. And it will ban websites that promote unboxing videos or content in which the host sells products to children. The bill would also make it illegal for nicotine, tobacco or alcohol blended recommendation sites for children or young children.
Those new rules are especially important to help communities at risk of advertising junk food and sugary drinks, as well as the long-term health risks that those products can produce.
Although the researchers did not focus on how food and beverage products have affected dietary choices, they said more research was needed.
“Companies view black youth as a cultural determinant,” Bragg said. “They purposefully target black youth with these types of products.”
Whenever possible, he recommended that parents limit the amount of time their children spend watching YouTube, even for content that seems child-friendly or educational. And Bragg argues that pediatricians can help inform parents about ways to market in the guise of entertainment.
“If your child uses YouTube or YouTube Kids,” Radeski said, “know that they will be the target of a lot of marketing that they may not understand. They may be very impressed with favorite YouTubers, and may not realize their favorites. Videos Essentially professional. Help them become more savvy. ”
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