Paying Attention: FTC Focuses On Cognitive Function Claims In A Video Game

The Federal Trade Commission has made clear in recent months that it will scrutinize claims from advertisers about products that allegedly improve cognitive function, including video game products. See e.g. Your Baby Can Read, and BrainStrong. That trend continued in January when the FTC settled a case against Focus Education, LLC and its officers over allegedly unsubstantiated claims about the company's ifocus System. According to the FTC, Focus's advertisements for iFocus (which included the computer game, Jungle Rangers) claimed the game contained "scientifically proven memory and attention brain training exercises, designed to improve focus, concentration and memory." The ads also claimed the product gave children - even those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - the permanent "ability to focus, complete school work, homework, and to stay on task." Focus also created an infomercial including testimonials from children, parents, and a school