How do I help them question what they see in commercials? 

Parenting Perspective 

Commercials are designed with precision to stir emotions and trigger desire. Children, with their trusting and curious nature, often believe what they see without question. The emotional root behind this is vulnerability, as young minds have not yet developed the skill to distinguish persuasion from truth. They may assume that everything on the screen reflects reality, which can easily shape unrealistic expectations. Parents have the responsibility to nurture awareness and curiosity rather than passive acceptance. This begins by watching commercials together, instead of letting children view them alone. When parents sit beside them, they can transform an advertisement into a learning moment. Ask gentle questions like, “What do you think this ad wants us to feel?” or, “Do you think the toy really works that way?” These questions encourage children to pause and reflect before believing what they see. Turning commercial time into a playful discussion builds emotional intelligence. It also helps children feel empowered rather than manipulated. 

Role-Playing and Micro-Actions 

One effective method is using role-play to demonstrate how advertising works. Parents can create a fun family activity by pretending to make their own commercial. Choose a simple household item like a spoon or a shoe, and act as though you are selling it with great excitement, using dramatic voices and exaggerated claims. Then pause and laugh together. Ask your child, “Did the spoon really change, or did we just describe it differently?” This playful exercise helps children grasp that commercials often sell emotions, not truth. Another powerful micro-action is setting limits on ad exposure. When ads do appear, treat them as teachable moments rather than background noise. Discuss together why certain music or colors were used, and what emotion the ad tries to trigger. Encourage your child to become a “truth finder.” Every time they see a commercial, ask them to spot what might be exaggerated. This builds a habit of questioning rather than accepting. 

Spiritual Insight 

The noble Quran reminds us that desires can be deceptively beautified to mislead hearts. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran in Surah Fatir (35), Verse 8: 

‘Then is one to whom the evil of his deed has been made attractive so he considers it good [like one rightly guided]? For indeed, Allah sends astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills…’ 

This ayah mirrors how advertisements often present temporary desires as sources of permanent happiness. It teaches that not everything that looks appealing is good or beneficial. Children can be guided to understand that just because something sparkles on screen does not mean it brings real joy or blessing. 

The Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized the essential nature of sincerity. It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 1971, that the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to wickedness…’ 

Parents can use this to explain that honesty includes being truthful about what we believe and choose. When children recognize that some advertisements blur truth for profit, they learn to value sincerity and truthfulness more deeply. When parents guide children to question what they see in commercials, they give them one of the most important life skills: discernment.