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💼 BBC Business • Thursday, February 12, 2026
⚡ Key Highlights
- Children exposed to weight loss drug ads online
- Ads are ‘immensely damaging’ to young people’s self-esteem
- Commissioner calls for ban on social media advertising to children
- Experts agree that urgent action is needed to protect children
Children are being bombarded with adverts for weight loss injections and pills online, despite this kind of advertising being banned. The children’s commissioner for England found young people were exposed to ads for products which claimed to change their bodies and appearance, which are ‘immensely damaging’ to their self-esteem. The report used a survey of 2,000 children aged 13-17 and two focus groups, and found that respondents also saw products promoting weight loss, diet food or drinks, and skin-lightening products. The commissioner is calling for a ban on social media advertising to children, and for tech firms to prioritize children’s online safety over engagement. Experts agree that urgent action is needed to protect children from these harmful ads. The report suggests amending the Online Safety Act to include a ‘clear duty of care’ for social media platforms to stop showing adverts to children.
🏷️ Keywords:
weight loss ads children online safety social media advertising
Original Source: BBC Business
