WHO warns: deadly junk food ads online target children

The WHO warns: adverts promoting unhealthy food and drinks are on the internet and could influence your kids.

We’re living in the age of Information powered by the world-wide-web or the Internet. Estimates say that this year, about three-point-five billion people around the globe use the Internet, way higher than last year’s two-point-twenty-one billion people.
Apparently, it will continue to grow as governments of many nations, and private sectors including internet giants Google and Facebook, bring new tools to connect more people with the internet.
But as we progress towards the deeper part of the Information Age, new types of problems pop up and are left unnoticed. One of which according to the WHO, or the World Health Organization, is the growing air time of junk food ads on the internet which covers mobile applications and social media as well.
The Europe side of the WHO published a TLDR on its site, deeply discussing the marketing food in the digital world and how children’s rights are violated.
In a nutshell, the WHO criticized the government for failing to grow teeth alongside the rising popularity of smartphones and tablets with the internet. They’re also giving information to parents about such ads which target the unsuspecting kids.
On its summary, the WHO underlines several studies linking childhood obesity with marketing of junk food and beverages which are high in saturated fat, sugars and salt. As part of its fight against childhood obesity, the organization of nations has called on Member States to introduce restrictions on advertising of aforementioned products on all platforms including the internet.
In 2012 in Europe, said the WHO, children use ‘digital media’ for nearly two hours daily on weekdays. And on weekends, they’re online an extra half an hour longer. Internet use is increasing sharply, the organization added, and the trend covers all age groups.

Hidden junk food ads online

For starters, Google, Facebook and YouTube are the sites with most daily visits online. Meanwhile, Android and iPhone (iOS) are the top platforms on hand-held communication devices, and they also have advertisements via applications.
Facebook is running its own advertising network, allowing advertisers to launch adverts that target specific age groups. Meanwhile, YouTube and Google have the same advertising network, under the Alphabet Inc, and have features similar to Facebook’s.
But Facebook and Google are just platforms.
As reported by the BBC, the WHO report criticized video bloggers, or Vloggers, who  are getting paychecks from junk foods. These people are more influential than an ad running on Facebook’s ‘newsfeed’ or a skippable five-second advertisement on YouTube.
Quoting a study, the WHO report says video bloggers are more influential than celebrities seen on television and other media “as children view them as authentic.” Children tend to trust video bloggers more and follow their recommendations.
Marketing agencies partner with Vloggers who often show online how they eat or when they buy it.
The report said the WHO is currently reviewing foods and drinks that can run ads that target children.