Children are being groomed by alcohol companies years before they reach the legal drinking age, through advertising on Facebook, researchers say.
Massey University health psychology associate professor Antonia Lyons says checking Facebook was part of their everyday routine and it was used as a platform to organise social events, many of which revolved around drinking. It was also used to share alcohol-related updates and photos with friends.
Lyons said this information, combined with bar and alcohol brand pages, had normalised the culture of intoxication among young people.
These pages also had games and giveaways that appealed to children and teenagers, Lyons said. “What they’re doing is grooming the next generation of drinkers.”
Source
- Stuff.co.nz
- Image: The Variant