Online junk food marketing directed at children is rampant in Ireland. It is fuelling the obesity crisis that is causing immeasurable damage to their health. The State’s own research says that 85,000 of this generation of children on the island of Ireland will die prematurely as a result.

The health and wellbeing of every child is threatened by an advertised diet promoted online that encourages poor nutrition and is damaging over time. Children and teenagers spend a significant time of their lives online. And here they are being bombarded with marketing from brands and influencers promoting unhealthy food, to the detriment of their health.

We have to do more to protect our children’s health. Currently, 1 in 5 primary school children living with overweight and obesity. Junk food and drink brands understand the effectiveness of marketing to children online, and through slick marketing, they are influencing children.

The Irish Heart Foundation wants the Government to introduce a total ban of digital marketing of unhealthy foods to protect the health of children.

Watch this powerful one-minute video to understand the extent and seriousness of children being targeted online.