Internet filters and entry pages do not protect children from online alcohol marketing

Authors

Sandra C. Jones, University of WollongongFollow
Jeffrey A. Thom, University of WollongongFollow
Sondra Davoren, Cancer Council Victoria
Lance Barrie, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

87333

Publication Details

Jones, S. C., Thom, J. A., Davoren, S. & Barrie, L. (2014). Internet filters and entry pages do not protect children from online alcohol marketing. Journal of Public Health Policy, 35 (1), 75-90.

Abstract

We review programs and policies to prevent children from accessing alcohol marketing online. To update the literature, we present our recent studies that assess (i) in-built barriers to underage access to alcohol brand websites and (ii) commercial internet filters. Alcohol websites typically had poor filter systems for preventing entry of underage persons; only half of the sites required the user to provide a date of birth, and none had any means of preventing users from trying again. Even the most effective commercial internet filters allowed access to one-third of the sites we examined.