Unboxing videos, where children literally watch other children unwrap toys on You Tube, have become increasingly popular. Kids are mesmerised by manicured or tiny hands that hover over toy boxes and slowly unwrap packages and gifts. Unboxing videos have attracted thousands, even millions of viewers and are a lucrative business for somevideo creators.
So why do they become so engrossed with these videos?
The anticipation associated with unwrapping a gift actually releases adrenaline and endorphins in the brain. So when they’re viewing they’re having a neuro-biological response.
These lengthy advertorials are very different to 15-second TV commercials. As parents we need to be wary of this indirect form of advertising and consumerism. And consumerism can become addictive. It can release dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter and kids naturally want more and more of that feeling!
Basically, limit your child’s viewing of unboxing videos. Have strict limits on what they can watch and the exact number of episodes and try to co-view or ask them questions about what they were viewing.