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social media has many impacts on teens

90% of adolescents use social media

The negative or inappropriate images on social media can impact:

health

behavior

This can create:

mental health problems

physical health problems

inappropriate use of social media by adolescents

Columbia University in 2011 reported “that teens who use social media were more likely to use tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana than teens who do not use social media, and risk was higher for those who had seen pictures of kids using or passed out from alcohol or drugs”

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The perception using drugs and alcohol as a part of the “college experience” can sway younger people to think that it is acceptable

Seen as “cool”

Advertisements for tobacco, e-cigs, and alcohol

Posts of groups having fun together with drinks in their hands

Association of alcohol and fun as seen on social media

Development of the need to post when drinking

On the assumption  that adolescents are influenced enough and begin to use substances, there are serious effects on neurocognitive:

“decrements in memory, attention and speeded information processing, and executive functioning”

Verbal and non-verbal recall issues

Performance task issues

The structure of the brain is also impacted in subtle but substantial ways

L.M. Squeglia et. al The Influence of Substance Use on Adolescent Brain Development

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Glamorizing drug use in teens shields the harms, dangers, and negative effects that come along with it

The media perpetuates a narrative that reinforces misleading understandings and opinions about drugs

glamorization of the transformation from addiction to recovery downplays the process of addiction treatment. In doing this, young people do not get a clear picture of what addiction really looks like

Glamorizing drug use in pop culture through the media  portrays the false narrative that drug use will make you “have fun”

Also it portrays that all high school/college kids “party”

More young people are getting involved in drug use and abuse partly because of their admiration of the “pop-star lifestyle” that is highlighted in the media

Solutions to the Gaps

Addiction is a disease that requires treatment not something people should feel like they must hide

Instead of criticizing those who struggle, we should be openly discussing the risks and dangers associated with drugs to help educate the youth from a young age

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Unfortunately, drug and substance use will always be a problem, especially in today’s world due to technology.

- In 2021, marijuana and hallucinogen usage hit all time high among young adults

However, there are steps that can be taken in order to reduce these numbers and keep young adults/teens safe.

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Building trust and limiting judgments in order to help someone confide in a trusted individual that they are struggling with substances. They can direct those to the help they need.

Education is important. Designing and implementing educational and promotional intervention programs to reduce willingness and increase students’ skills in substance abuse media literacy is necessary to prevent drug use.

Parents can adjust privacy settings/preferences.  Review privacy options of social media platforms, teach teens to use privacy options, and stress the importance of preventing exposure to content.

Be mindful of whom you follow. Advise teens to analyze whom they are following on social media. What kind of messages are they receiving? Urge teens to actively curate whom they follow. Encourage them to avoid content/messages that tempt them to make poor decisions.