Children in England Exposed to Online Ads for Weight-Loss Drugs and Harmful Products

In Brief

Research finds children in England frequently see online ads for weight-loss drugs, steroids, and skin-whitening products.

Key Facts

• Teenagers in England are routinely exposed to online advertisements for weight-loss drugs, steroids, and skin-whitening creams.
• The research was conducted for the Children’s Commissioner for England to assess harmful product exposure on social media, video games, and apps.
• The Children’s Commissioner has suggested banning social media advertising targeted at children to reduce exposure to harmful products.
• The study highlights that children are 'bombarded' with these harmful product advertisements across multiple digital platforms.
• The findings raise concerns about the impact of such advertising on children’s health and wellbeing.

What Happened

A study commissioned by the Children’s Commissioner for England found that teenagers are frequently exposed to online advertisements promoting weight-loss drugs, steroids, and skin-whitening creams. These ads appear across social media, video games, and apps, prompting calls from the Commissioner to ban social media advertising aimed at children.

Why It Matters

Exposure to advertisements for harmful products can negatively affect children’s physical and mental health. The findings underscore the need for regulatory measures to protect children from potentially damaging online content and promote healthier digital environments.