By: Maya Listman

Ever wonder why your little nieces and nephews suddenly become infatuated by a toy after seeing only one commercial or advertisement for it? It’s because the younger they are, they see commercials as entertainment played alongside their favorite TV shows. They can’t tell the difference between programming and ads.





In this short video, Science of Us reports that:

•    Companies spend $17 billion dollars a year on advertising directed at kids.
 
•    The average child will see about 25,000 TV ads a year before he or she turns 12.

•    Research has shown that kids can develop a firm product preference after watching just one TV ad.

•    When children are about 4 or 5 years old, they can’t tell the difference between commercial and non-commercial TV content.

•    It’s not until about 8 years old that kids recognize that commercials are trying to sell them something.

•    It’s not until age 11 or 12 that kids are able to understand that they don’t have to believe everything they see. 

With the holidays are right around the corner, kids are subject to TV ad overload. Don’t be surprised if the toys on their holiday list are the same toys they saw on TV.


Photos: TatyanaGl
Published: November 10, 2015