Protecting Kids from Stealth Advertising in Digital Media

On October 19, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission will host a virtual event on “Protecting Kids from Stealth Advertising in Digital Media.” The FTC will bring together researchers, child development and legal experts, consumer advocates, and industry professionals to examine the techniques being used to advertise to children online – in all the various digital spaces children frequent – and what measures should be implemented to protect children from manipulative advertising. Specific topics include:

• Children’s capacity at different ages and developmental stages to recognize and understand advertising content and distinguish it from other content;
• The harms to children resulting from the inability of children to recognize advertising;
• What measures should be taken to protect children from blurred content in digital marketing; and
• The need for and efficacy of disclosures as a solution for children of different ages, including the format, timing, placement, wording, and frequency of disclosures.

The event will be held virtually and webcast on the FTC’s website at FTC.gov. A link to the webcast, as well as the agenda and speaker information, will be posted in advance of the event. Registration is not required.