Hi all
I have to go and be interviewed at a conference about marketing/brands and 16-18 year olds and though two of my children are teens (dd16 and ds 13) it would be great to be able to speak from a focus group of more than two 
so wondered if anyone had any thoughts they could share.
The sorts of things they want to talk about are:
What do you now know about teens that you didn't before you had one in the house with you? I think this is interesting as the media perception of teens and the reality for me has been very different.
Also my dd in particular is probably my main source of information on what are the "good" adverts out there - she showed me the Dove sketches before anyone else for example, and the Because I'm a Girl ad. She's always making me watch stuff on FB or Youtube. I wondered if that was the same with other folks? Do your kids consume marketing/ ads and does it affect what they buy, or by the time they are teens are they more likely to be influenced by what a friend/ celebrity/ sportsperson/someone on Tumblr/(parent even?) is doing/ wearing/ buying?
When does the purchasing power change from parent to a teenager? When do teenagers start making consumer decisions themselves? We've only just introduced an allowance/pocket money (since I discovered Osper cards) and it's fascinating to see how they each spend it. Lots of food for dd and xbox for ds!
How much influence (if any) do parents have on what brands (rather than products) their teen buys?
What can companies/ brands do to connect with teens and perhaps even make a young persons life easier?
All thoughts v welcome. Conference on Weds 11th. Really really grateful for any feedback you can offer. Will report back!
Ta
Carrie
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Teenagers
Brands and 16-18 year olds…. help needed
carriemumsnet · 04/03/2015 12:17
Teenage boys of 17 and 19 here.
What do you now know about teens that you didn't before you had one in the house with you?
I knew nothing. I have learned that they are kind and sensitive and they care deeply about things. They worry about their future, they worry about the things that are wrong in the world. They want to please their parents and they still seek approval as much as a four year old albeit not in the same way.
I have learned that I love teenagers and they are not an alien species to be feared and viewed with suspicion.
When does the purchasing power change from parent to a teenager?
They first got phones at 11 which I chose but from 13 or so I would give them a say in a mobile phone purchase, within a budget (no iPhones or contracts)
I introduced allowances at 16 when they became responsible for buying their own clothes. They are not big spenders 
and tend to buy on impulse and both avoid buying anything that looks particularly fashionable. Topman is a good example of a brand they dislike because their clothing tends to be distinctively "this year".
I have tried very hard to teach them from an early age not to be influenced by adverts or brands and to view marketing with a healthy scepticism. I think I have succeeded as neither is remotely brand concious. That's not to say they won't buy a brand name if they like it, just not because it's a sought after name.
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