🏈 Score Big Media Literacy Points with Super Bowl Ads 🏈
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Budweiser Puppy Love (2014)
The Super Bowl isn't just a showcase of top-tier (American) football; it's also prime time for some of the most creative and high-budget advertisements of the year. This presents a perfect, informal classroom setting to engage with kids about media literacy. By asking the right questions, we can help them develop critical thinking skills that will aid them in navigating the complex media landscape they're growing up in.
Here are some questions you can ask your child while watching ads (during the game, after, or anytime) to spark meaningful conversations. Plus some fun ones to rewatch from past years.
Who is this ad targeting?
Encourage your child to think about the target audience of the ad. Is it aimed at kids, adults, sports fans, or families? Discuss how the ad’s content, tone, and style help to identify its target demographic.
What is the main message of this advertisement?
Help your child discern the core message behind the glitz and glam. Is the ad selling a product or a lifestyle? What are they trying to convince us to believe or do?
M&M's - "Come Together" (2021)
Google - "A Little Help" (2020)
What emotions is this ad trying to evoke?
Ads often aim to make us feel a certain way—happy, excited, nostalgic, or even sad. Ask your child about the feelings the ad evokes and how those emotions might influence someone's decision to buy a product.
How does this ad use colors, music, and visuals to communicate its message?
Discuss the creative elements of the ad and their impact on the viewer’s perception. This can help your child understand the art of persuasion through media.
What facts or information does the ad provide about the product?
Encourage your child to differentiate between emotional appeal and factual information. This can lead to a discussion on the importance of researching products before making a purchase.
Budweiser - "Puppy Love" (2014)
Skechers - "To the Max" (2021)
Does this advertisement make any claims that seem exaggerated or unrealistic?
This question helps children develop a healthy skepticism towards marketing claims and understand the concept of "puffery" in advertising.
What doesn’t this ad tell us?
Discuss the information that might be left out of the ad, such as potential negatives of the product or service or the price. This can lead to a conversation about the importance of looking beyond advertisements for information.
Amazon - "Alexa Loses Her Voice" (2018)
Old Spice - "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" (2010)
By engaging with these questions, you're not just watching commercials; you're equipping them with the tools to critically assess the media they consume. Try asking just one question and see where the conversation goes!
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