>> Narrator: How do you teach
your kids to sort through the
claims that advertisers make?
>> The basket
is still ten feet high.
The free throw line
is still 15 feet away.
>> Hey, those are the ones
Matt has!
>> Narrator: For kids,
some products can have
near magical powers.
>> But now I'm faster.
>> Matt's got those?
( mutes TV )
>> Hey, the sound!
>> Just a minute.
So, do you think those shoes
make you faster?
Did they make Matt faster?
>> I don't know.
Maybe?
>> You know, just because
it says so in a commercial,
doesn't mean that it's true.
? ?
>> Hi, my name is...
>> Narrator: Catchy slogans,
famous people, special effects
and animation
add excitement to TV ads,
and a magnetism
that may have nothing to do
with the product's value.
? ?
>> Wha--? Sorry, Coke.
? ?
>> Narrator: You can help your
kids understand how this works.
>> Okay, so what do you think
about this one?
>> It's kinda cool.
>> And what do
they want us to buy?
>> I don't know.
Oh! There's water bottles!
>> So if I drink that brand,
I can do those tricks?
>> Mom!
>> Narrator: Like adults,
kids take for granted all sorts
of fantastic situations
seen in commercials.
But though incredible,
this advertising magic
can create strong connections
to brand name products.
? ?
If you help them
critically analyze commercials,
kids can become smarter
about craving certain products.
For example, how believable
is the action?
What kind of music is used,
and what would it be like
if you turned it off?
Do celebrities use the product?
And does that really matter?
Will this product make you
more popular or happier?
Do you really
even need this product?
? ?
>> It's on me
to be faster than the game.
>> Tell me something, Alec.
No, seriously, are there any
really cool kids in your class?
>> Well, yeah, like Matt.
>> And some who aren't so cool,
right?
>> Uh-huh.
>> So if an uncool kids
put on those shoes,
would he all of a sudden
be really, really cool?
>> No way.
>> Narrator: By pointing out
some of these
advertising tricks,
parents can help kids realize
that they are being sold.
And once they better understand
what's happening in commercials,
kids have the capacity
to become smarter consumers,
who can save money,
both for you and themselves.