Part 1

Eight tricks, once you see them

Parenting feeds are full of quizzes, “plans” and apps that pressure you into paying — often by making an ordinary kid sound like a problem. Tap any card to see what the trick looks like in the wild, and what an honest brand does instead.

These are made-up examples of tactics used across the internet — not any one company. The point isn’t to name names; it’s to help you spot the pattern so it loses its grip.

Part 2

Now you try

Here’s a made-up advert. Is it pressure or a trick, just an ad, or a genuine helper? Tap what you think — every answer explains why.

The Honest Lens is media-literacy guidance for grown-ups — not financial, medical or legal advice. Worried about your child? Speak to your GP or SENCo. More for parents ›