Children are regularly targeted by online advertisements promoting products that alter physical appearance, including weight loss injections, skin lightening creams, and steroids. The Children’s Commissioner highlighted the widespread nature of these ads and their accessibility to young audiences.
These advertisements often appear on social media platforms and websites popular with children, raising concerns about the potential impact on their self-esteem and body image.
**Why this matters**
Exposure to such ads can influence children’s perceptions of beauty and health, potentially encouraging unsafe or inappropriate use of appearance-changing products. Understanding the prevalence of these advertisements is important for developing policies to protect children from harmful marketing practices.
Source: NewsData