Influencers giving advice without adequate financial knowledge, trendy investment lists, pre-selected investment amounts and countdowns designed to create a sense of urgency, and prominent ‘buy’ buttons appearing on the screen are some of the common tactics identified by the non-profit organisation Finance Watch in a report about addictive and misleading online design patterns that it says can be detrimental to consumers and retail investors.
As retail investing becomes more accessible through social media platforms, civil society organisations and policymakers are increasingly looking at ways to protect people online, particularly vulnerable groups such as minors.
