Ad falsely linked to kids cartoon network asks parents to drop off children

06 May Ad falsely linked to kids cartoon network asks parents to drop off children

Police are investigating possible links between a deceptive online advertisement aimed at children in Adelaide and another recent one in Perth, in which the name ‘Nickelodeon’ was used in an attempt to lure them in.

Child protection experts are warning parents to be vigilant, saying that fake events linked to popular culture are potentially a new way of targeting children.

Dodgy ads may have warning signs
Cyber safety expert Susan McLean said there were warning signs that promotional ads aimed at children may not be legitimate.

She said companies such as Nickelodeon and Disney were highly unlikely to promote events on non-official Facebook pages.

“It may be on their own page, but they’re never just going to pitch this generally on social media,” she said.

“Contact the organisation. If they’re purporting to be from Nickelodeon, from Disney, from Barbie, from Mattel, contact that organisation and say ‘are you running an event?’

“If you’re not satisfied that it’s legitimate, don’t drop your kid off.”