Minors Exposed to Botox Ads on TikTok

Minors Exposed to Botox Ads on TikTok

nos.nl

Minors Exposed to Botox Ads on TikTok

An investigation reveals that minors are exposed to advertisements for cosmetic procedures like botox on TikTok, despite regulations prohibiting such advertising.

Dutch
Netherlands
HealthNetherlandsGender IssuesSocial MediaRegulationAdvertisingMinors
Nos StoriesTiktokNederlandse Reclame Code CommissieNederlandse Vereniging Cosmetische Geneeskunde
Anne-Mette HermansArcadia
What is the main issue highlighted in the article?
Minors are being exposed to botox advertisements on TikTok, despite regulations prohibiting such targeted advertising towards those under 18. This is concerning because it normalizes cosmetic procedures and can negatively impact young people's self-esteem.
What is the response from the companies and platforms involved?
While some clinics stated unawareness and promised to remove ads targeting minors, the overall system is not airtight. TikTok acknowledges this and points towards continuous efforts to improve their system but admits that content that shouldn't be there sometimes slips through.
How did NOS Stories uncover the violation of advertising regulations on TikTok?
Several companies were found to be targeting teenagers aged 13-17 with ads for cosmetic procedures on TikTok, a violation of the Dutch advertising code. The NOS Stories investigation revealed this by using TikTok's Ads Library.
What is the impact of online cosmetic procedure advertisements on young people?
The impact of online content promoting cosmetic procedures is significant; young people are more likely to consider such treatments when exposed to these ads, often leading to insecurity and body image issues. A 15-year-old girl mentioned in the article already considers undergoing a procedure due to such influence.
What is the stance of the Dutch Association of Cosmetic Medicine on this issue?
The Dutch Association of Cosmetic Medicine expressed concern over the violation of regulations and the impact on minors, emphasizing the illegality of cosmetic procedures for individuals under 18 and the corresponding advertising restrictions. They find it unacceptable that clinics aren't adhering to the rules.