How Social Media is Making it Hard to Feed Our Kids Healthy Food
Okay, so you know how kids are constantly glued to their screens? Well, a new report just blew my mind. It turns out those screens are showing kids thousands of food ads every single year! We're talking 4,000+ for younger kids, and double that for teens. Most of those ads? For junk food. Seriously. Fast food, candy, chocolate...you name it. It's a constant barrage, and it's making it super tough for parents like us to get our kids to eat their veggies.
The Sheer Volume is a Problem
A University of Ottawa professor, Monique Potvin Kent, who worked on this report, put it perfectly: Parents often don't even know what their kids are seeing online. They're shocked when they find out. It's not like TV ads where you can at least see what's on. Social media is everywhere, and the ads are super engaging. Kids aren’t just passively watching; they're sharing these videos with their friends, spreading the message even further.
Influencers: The Sneaky Marketing Masters
And it's not just the obvious ads. Think about those mukbang videos (those crazy eating broadcasts from Korea), cooking demos, and influencer reviews. They're subtly pushing products. The report talked about high schoolers who specifically tried things like TrĂĽFrĂĽ, Chick-fil-A, and matcha drinks because of influencers. "If influencers love it, it's cool," one pediatric dietitian, Jessica Ferris, explained. "Kids want to be seen eating those things."
But here's the kicker: a lot of this isn’t even upfront advertising. David Hammond, a professor at the University of Waterloo, pointed out that many influencers are secretly paid by food companies. It's sneaky, making it almost impossible for parents and kids to know what's a genuine recommendation and what’s a paid promotion.
Friends, Family, and the Pressure to Conform
It’s not just about the ads; it's the social pressure. What kids see their friends eating (often fueled by online trends), and even what their parents buy, creates a huge desire to fit in. Influencers like MrBeast, with his massive following, just add another layer to this. Honestly, who can resist when *everyone* else is doing it?
So, What Can We Do?
Ferris suggests having open conversations with our kids about food—early and often. The key is a “food-neutral” approach. Don't demonize certain foods, but talk about nutrition and making smart choices. Creating a family food policy—a set of rules about food in the house—can also help.
This whole thing feels like a massive uphill battle. But by talking to our kids, setting healthy guidelines, and being aware of what's happening online, we can help them navigate this crazy world of digital food marketing and make better choices.
