When discussing social media advertising with children, it’s important to tailor the conversation to their age and understanding.
Below are scripts for parents to use with young children, preteens, and teenagers.
For Young Children (Ages 5-8)
Context: At this age, children are just starting to use technology and social media under supervision. They may not fully understand the concept of advertising.
Script:
Parent: “Hey, remember when we watch cartoons and sometimes there are short breaks with fun toy commercials? Those are called ads. When we use a tablet or phone, there are also ads, but they look like pictures or videos. Ads are companies’ way of showing us things they want us to buy, like toys or games.”
Child: “Are the ads like the shows?”
Parent: “Not really. Ads are trying to get us to want something, but they might not tell us everything. Sometimes the toys or games aren’t as much fun as they look in the ad. So, if you see something online that looks cool, let’s talk about it before getting too excited, okay?”
Child: “Okay!”
Parent: “Great! Remember, if you see something you like in an ad, come and tell me, and we can look at it together.”
For Preteens (Ages 9-12)
Context: Preteens are more independent and might start using social media platforms more frequently. They are becoming more aware of influencers and online trends.
Script:
Parent: “You’ve probably noticed that when you’re on social media, there are posts that seem to be showing off products, like cool clothes or new gadgets. These are often ads, even if they look like regular posts.”
Preteen: “How can I tell if something is an ad?”
Parent: “Good question! Ads might say ‘sponsored’ or ‘ad’ at the top or bottom of a post. Sometimes, influencers—people who have lots of followers—get paid to talk about products. So, when they say something is awesome, it might be because they were paid to say that.”
Preteen: “So, they might not really like it?”
Parent: “Exactly. It’s their job to make things look cool, but that doesn’t mean the product is really that great. That’s why it’s important to think carefully about what you see online and not believe everything right away.”
Preteen: “What should I do if I see something I like?”
Parent: “If you see something you like, let’s talk about it first. We can check if it’s really as good as it seems and if it’s something you need. It’s all about being smart with what we see online.”
For Teenagers (Ages 13-17)
Context: Teenagers are more adept at using social media and are exposed to more sophisticated advertising, including influencer marketing, targeted ads, and sponsored content. They might also have their own money to spend.
Script:
Parent: “You’re probably seeing a lot of ads on social media, some of which are really well-disguised as regular content, especially with influencers you follow. I wanted to talk with you about how to spot these ads and why it’s important to think critically about them.”
Teenager: “Yeah, I see a lot of that. But how do I know what’s real?”
Parent: “Many influencers get paid to promote products, which means their opinion might be influenced by money, not just personal experience. Even targeted ads are designed to match your interests based on what you’ve searched or liked online. It’s like they’re trying to guess what you want and then show you exactly that.”
Teenager: “So, they’re kind of manipulating what I see?”
Parent: “In a way, yes. Ads are designed to be persuasive and make you think you need something. That’s why it’s important to pause and ask yourself if you really want or need what they’re showing. It’s also good to research products and see what others say who aren’t being paid to promote them.”
Teenager: “How can I avoid getting tricked by ads?”
Parent: “Stay aware of how ads work. Look for disclaimers like ‘sponsored’ or ‘ad.’ Before you buy anything, take a step back and do some research. And if you’re ever unsure, we can look into it together.”
Teenager: “I’ll try to be more careful. Ads are everywhere, though.”
Parent: “They are, but the more you understand them, the better you’ll be at making smart choices. You have the power to control what you buy and believe online.”
Conclusion
These scripts are designed to help parents start conversations about social media advertising with their children at different stages of their development. The key is to keep the dialogue open and encourage critical thinking, helping kids and teens navigate online spaces with confidence and awareness.