While fast food and sugary drinks are very present on social networks, this study published in the journal PLOS Digital Health reveals the overwhelming reach of food marketing targeting young people. Researchers also warn of the need for digital policies to stop these dietary influences.
Monique Potvin Kent and her colleagues at the University of Ottawa studied the frequency and reach of user-generated posts on social media in Canada in 2020. According to the researchers, these are millions of posts reaching billions of users over the course of a single year. Although the study did not separate users by age, the researchers assure that previous research has shown that young people are heavy users of social media and demonstrated high rates of exposure to this type of content.
Several billion users affected
To carry out their analysis, the team of researchers identified the 40 food brands with the highest brand shares in Canada and searched for their mentions on Twitter, Reddit, Tumblr et YouTube by users.
And during 2020, these brands were mentioned 16,851,990 times, reaching approximately several billion users.
Sweet drinks, candy, chocolate…
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