As kids’ buying power in America has exploded in recent decades, so too has the amount companies spend advertising to them. But because of a quirk of brain development, kids aren’t equipped to understand ads are manipulating them. Should they be banned?
AI Summary
In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck dive deep into the world of advertising to children, exploring how companies spend billions of dollars targeting kids with sophisticated marketing strategies. They examine the staggering statistics around children's buying power and influence over family purchases, while discussing the psychological research showing that young kids literally cannot distinguish between commercials and regular programming. The hosts also cover how advertising has evolved beyond traditional TV commercials to include product placement, school partnerships, apps, and websites, painting a comprehensive picture of how pervasive marketing to children has become in modern society.
"Shut up Barney Miller's on — Josh jokingly mentioned watching Barney Miller as an example of being glued to screens."
— Josh
Beverly Hills, 90210
1990
★ 7.3
"That was Beverly Hills. That's what I mean. That's what I meant — Josh corrected himself when discussing rich schools, referencing the TV show instead of Hollywood High School."
— Josh
"Do you remember going to Blockbuster? — Referenced in an ad read about 90s nostalgia, though Blockbuster was a video rental chain, not a film/TV show."
Captain Kangaroo
1955
★ 6.8
"No, that was, uh, Captain Kangaroo — Josh corrected Chuck about which children's show featured Mr. Greenjeans."
— Josh
"Hey Dude, the 90s called, David Lasher and Christine Taylor, stars of the cult classic show, Hey Dude — The hosts mentioned this show in an ad read for a podcast about 90s nostalgia."
Point Break
1991
2h 2m
★ 7.2
"I remember Robin Hood and Point Break came out that same summer — Josh recalled both movies being released in the same summer season."
— Josh
Poltergeist
1982
1h 54m
★ 7.2
"Do you remember AOL instant messenger and the dial-up sound like poltergeist? — Referenced in an ad read comparing dial-up internet sounds to the horror movie."
Return of the Jedi
1983
2h 12m
★ 7.9
"Into the 95 rerun of Return of the Jedi — Referenced in listener mail about how toy companies repurposed Robin Hood toys for Star Wars merchandise."
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"Romper room was one that had the magic, uh, magic mirror — They discussed how this early children's show was targeted by activists for host-selling practices."
— Josh
"you don't see that between, uh, you know, commercials for Seinfeld — Josh used Seinfeld as an example of adult programming that doesn't have the same commercial break announcements as kids' shows."
— Josh
"I think it was like itchy and scratchy was up for an Emmy on the Simpsons once — Josh referenced a Simpsons episode that parodied children's advertising and toy commercials."
— Josh
The Truman Show
1998
1h 43m
★ 8.2
"there's a very Truman show element to it — Josh compared targeted online advertising to kids to the surveillance aspect of The Truman Show."
— Josh
"the big tie in now, is the Trolls movie — Josh discussed how McDonald's used the Trolls movie as a promotional tie-in for Happy Meals."
— Josh
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