Digital Food Marketing and Children’s Health and Well-being

This chapter explores the impact of digital food marketing on children’s health and well-being, emphasizing how exposure to online advertising shapes dietary behaviors, food preferences, and long-term health outcomes. Children are increasingly engaging with digital media, creating new avenues for targeted marketing of high-calorie, nutrient-poor foods. The authors review empirical evidence demonstrating the psychological and behavioral mechanisms through which digital marketing influences children, including persuasive techniques, brand recognition, and social media engagement. The chapter also considers the broader developmental context, highlighting potential risks to physical and mental health and discussing public health interventions, regulatory strategies, and recommendations for parents and educators to mitigate these effects