• The average American child may view as many as 40,000 commercials every year. Four hours of television programming contain approximately 100 ads.

• In 1997, $1.3 billion was spent on television advertisements directed at children.

• In foreign countries, governments have strictly regulated advertising to children. Sweden and Norway forbid TV ads aimed at kids under 12. Greece does not allow toy advertising on TV between 7 am and 10 pm. Quebec prohibits TV commercials directed at preteens or younger.

• Children who watch a lot of television want more toys seen in ads and eat more advertised food than children who do not watch as much television.

Internet

• A survey of Canadian children ages 9 to 17 shows that 99 percent have been on the Internet, and 79 percent have access at home.

• Kids’ favorite activities on the Web involve music, e-mail, surfing and games, often sponsored by large brand-name corporations.

• Websites, search engines and even some school sites are often supported by businesses that include direct advertising.

• Databases of child customers are being built from information gathered on Internet sign-ups and chat rooms, from electronic toy registries at such stores as Toys ’R’ Us, and from direct surveys.

School

• Free book covers with ads are distributed to students. Approximately 25 million American children received book covers in 1998.

• “Education posters” in hallways advertise candy.

• Brand-name foods are served and promoted in school cafeterias.

• Reading programs sometimes offer reward coupons to be redeemed at well-known restaurants.

• Some school buses have ads placed on their sides and tops.

• Channel One, which is viewed in 12,000 middle schools and high schools, runs 10 minutes of news and two minutes of ads every day.

• Schools receive a percentage of sales of branded products during fund-raising events.

Other Avenues

• There are currently 160 children’s magazines being published and used for advertising compared to 85 publications in 1986. (Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. magazines are ad free.)

• Fast-food marketing is one contributor to obesity in children. The Heart and Stroke Foundation discovered that 25 percent of Canadian children between ages 7 and 12 are overweight.

• Promotional licensing of products aimed at kids is starting to include media pitches that will instant message e-mail accounts and pagers.