The Sneaky Sell Mystery

Sample trail: Sneaky Sell Sleuths (ages 6–8)

Hunt for sponsors, sales messages and attention-grabbing tricks.

1. Clue 1. Who is usually responsible for an ad for Super-Snap Shoes? Options: The shoe company, The weather reporter, The local library.

   Answer: The shoe company. One strong ad question is: who made this message, and why? Source: US Federal Trade Commission · Advertising literacy lesson, Source: US Federal Trade Commission · Admongo guide for families

2. Clue 2. Which two clues suggest a post may be advertising? Options: Paid promotion, #sponsored, Today’s date, A volume button.

   Answer: Paid promotion and #sponsored. Advertising disclosures may use words such as paid promotion or sponsored. Source: US Federal Trade Commission · Advertising literacy lesson

3. Clue 3. What is an ad’s main job? Options: Persuade you to buy, do or think something; Finish your homework; Always report the weather.

   Answer: Persuade you to buy, do or think something. Ads are persuasive messages. They are made to influence an audience. Source: US Federal Trade Commission · Admongo guide for families

4. Clue 4. “Only two minutes left!” is trying to make you feel… Options: Rushed, Sleepy, Invisible.

   Answer: Rushed. Ads use attention-grabbing techniques. A hurry message can push us to act before thinking. Source: US Federal Trade Commission · Advertising literacy lesson

5. Clue 5. Put the ad-detective questions in order: What does it want me to do?, Who made this?, What is it really saying?

   Answer: Who made it, what it says, what it wants. The FTC’s three ad-literacy questions check the maker, message and purpose. Source: US Federal Trade Commission · Admongo guide for families, Source: US Federal Trade Commission · Advertising literacy lesson

The interactive quiz above also has trails for ages 3–5 and 9–11, plus more free Smart Internet and India quizzes—no sign-in required.