How targeted ads work, and how to protect yourself: Tim Caulfield [Video]

Tim Caulfield, health law professor at the University of Alberta, joined CTV Morning Live’s Kent Morrison to separate real from fake in online marketing.

This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

Kent Morrison: In the internet age, advertisers are using algorithms to market certain products to us by age and gender, among other things. Often we’re warned of serious consequences if we don’t take action.

Tim, let’s start with one that I know in my circles generates a lot of discussion: Do young people, specifically girls, need skin care products, specific regimens and routines to keep their skin glowing?

Tim Caulfield:No, no, no. I find this really aggravating and you nailed it. This is targeted marketing. It’s the impact of more kids being on the internet, on TikTok, being influenced by influencers. They’re called “Sephora kids,” and it really is having a big impact. There was a study that came out very recently that found that less than fifty …