YouTube influencers are pitching junk food to kids

These particular YouTube videos have been watched over a billion times.

A new kind of marketing

It’s important to track what kind of food advertising your child is exposed to.That’s because your childhood diet can have a big impact on their potential. Past studies have shown that you become obese or develop cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

While there are many food ads on TV, companies are looking to more and more viewers on social media sites such as YouTube.

According to Bragg, one of the most important aspects of the study is that YouTube’s most popular under 18 hosts often promote their products directly, making kids crazy about the message. I just turned my attention to the fact.

“This kind of marketing is an unknown area for families and researchers,” she said. Parents “may think they’re leaving their kids to watch them play in the backyard,” rather than the kids promoting chicken mac nuggets for a fee.

This is especially true during a pandemic where there is less face-to-face activity and parents look to screen time to keep their children occupied when they are working from home.

“The adult digital ecosystem is driven by advertising revenue and compelling design, but that doesn’t mean that children’s digital spaces should be,” added Radeski, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan. I did. “In the United States, we need a new code of ethics for children.”

“Young kids consider these video stars to be friends and friends, and understand that YouTube stars like Ryan are so enthusiastic about the products on them because they’re stealth marketers. Is not.”

As stars continue to foster relationships with their fans, new perceptions of YouTube influencers and food placement in videos can change the industry.

“Ryan’s World is deeply concerned about the well-being of our viewers, and the health and safety of our viewers is our number one priority,” said Susan Inn, a spokesman for Sunlight Entertainment, the producer of Ryan’s World. I’m saying in an email.

“Therefore, we strictly comply with the Terms of Service for all platforms, the guidelines set by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), and federal, state and local level laws and regulations.”

She said Ryan’s World is “welcome” new research from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“As we continue to evolve our content, we look forward to working together in the future to benefit the health and safety of our viewers,” said Yin.

CNN has asked YouTube’s parent company Google to comment on the story, but hasn’t responded. CNN has also contacted McDonald’s and SNAC International, the leading trade associations in the snack industry. (“SNAC” stands for snacks, nutrition, and convenience.)

New law to protect children

Researchers at New York University argued that the Federal Trade Commission and state officials need to tighten regulations on product placement on YouTube videos featuring toddlers.

CNN is asking FTC for comment.

The law builds on the protection of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act passed in 1998, before the advent of other online platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat.

The bill aims to protect children from the impact of influencer marketing and design features such as autoplay that can allow them to spend more time using screens and apps.

The KIDS law prohibits autoplay settings and pushes alerts on sites that are frequently visited by children and teens. It also prohibits websites from promoting opening videos or content that hosts selling products to children. The bill also makes it illegal for sites to recommend content containing nicotine, tobacco, or alcohol to children and teens.

These new regulations are especially important in supporting communities at risk of being exposed to junk food and sweet drink advertising and the long-term health risks these products may pose.

Researchers did not focus on how the placement of food and beverage products affects dietary choices, but sought further research on it.

“Companies see young black people as cultural trendsetters,” Bragg said. “They deliberately target black youth with these types of products.”

She recommended that parents limit the amount of time their children watch YouTube, wherever possible, even for content that appears to be children’s or educational. Bragg argued that pediatricians could help inform parents about how to disguise marketing as entertainment.

“I know that if your child is using YouTube or YouTube Kids, they’re probably a lot of marketing targets that you don’t understand. They’re strongly influenced by your favorite YouTuber and may be unaware of your favorites. There is sex. The video is commercial in nature. Please help them become more familiar. ”