Sign in Subscribe
Youth

Social Media Use Linked to Increased Risk of Substance Abuse in Teens

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study of 1,000 children aged 12 to 17 has found that regular use of social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace can increase the likelihood of substance abuse. The poll, conducted by Columbia University in New York, found that daily users of such sites were five times more likely to smoke tobacco, three times as likely to drink alcohol, and twice as likely to use cannabis compared to those who did not use the sites. The study also found that 70% of the teenagers interviewed used social networking sites on a typical day, with one of the main reasons being to look at friends' photographs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that daily users of social networking sites were five times more likely to smoke tobacco, three times as likely to drink alcohol, and twice as likely to use cannabis compared to non-users.
  • 70% of the teenagers interviewed used social networking sites on a typical day, with one of the main reasons being to look at friends' photographs.
  • Pictures of teenagers "drunk, passed out or using drugs" on Facebook and other sites were "rampant".
  • Almost nine in 10 parents believed that using social networking sites had no effect on increasing the risk of substance abuse in their children.
  • Joseph Califano, founder of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, called on website operators to block such photographs and deny access to children who post pictures of themselves and their friends under the influence.
  • The study highlights the need for parents to be aware of the potential risks of substance abuse associated with social media use.

Statistics:

  • 1,000 children aged 12 to 17 were surveyed for the study.
  • 70% of the teenagers interviewed used social networking sites on a typical day.
  • Daily users of social networking sites were five times more likely to smoke tobacco as non-users.
  • Daily users of social networking sites were three times more likely to drink alcohol as non-users.
  • Daily users of social networking sites were twice as likely to use cannabis as non-users.
  • Pictures of teenagers "drunk, passed out or using drugs" on Facebook and other sites were "rampant".

Sources:

  • Columbia University in New York (study)
  • Joseph Califano, founder of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University
  • Digital Life: Page 29

Read more