Social Media Influence on Substance Abuse For Teens

Substance Abuse in Teens

Substance abuse is characterized as a precarious pattern of misusing any substance. Substance misuse often leads the user to become obsessive and dependent, creating a ripple of hostile behavior or changing their character. 

Substance use is damaging to any age, but especially for those who are underage. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, those who engage in underage substance abuse are more likely to suffer from the consequences.

 This includes engaging in risky behavior, suffering from a serious injury (mentally or physically), contracting health problems (short-term or long-term), and further using substance materials at a more dangerous rate.

Numbers in School: 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco are most commonly used by adolescents. By 12th grade, approximately 67% of students have tried alcohol. Roughly half of 9th to 12th-grade students report having used marijuana.

 About 40% of 9th through 12th-grade students report having tried cigarettes, and, lastly, among 12th graders, approximately every 2 in 10 reports using prescription medicine without a prescription.

 Moreover, though it is against the law to consume alcohol before the age of 21, studies show that adolescents between the ages of 12 and 20 ingest approximately 10% of all consumed alcohol in the United States.

Social Media Influence on Substance Abuse

The correlation between social media influence on substance abuse is uncanny. Yes, it is not unheard of for teenagers to experiment with drugs and alcohol. However, just because it is not unusual does not mean it should be encouraged or is worth promoting.

 Social media platforms and websites (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr) take advantage of their influence on teens in many ways. The most insidious of these is that they invite teens to experiment and, ultimately, be exposed to dangerous substances. List a few, such materials include alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes, and other illicit drugs. 

When teens see or become exposed to such material, they become susceptible to its influence and harmful effects. This stems from a desire to emulate the glamor or excitement they see on social media.

 Celebrities, brand-name companies, influencers, friends, and even relatives are responsible for their influence on the younger generation. When teenagers watch or witness their friends, relatives, favorite celebrities, influencers, or brand-name companies participate in this behavior, it begins to standardize the action appropriately.

Conducted Studies:

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University conducted a study on teenagers who use well-known social media outlets. In their study, the researchers found that more students were likely to drink, use drugs, and buy tobacco than adolescents who either did not use social media or used it less frequently.

 The survey asked 2,000 adolescents about their drug use and social media habits, and 70% said that they use social media every day. Researchers found that, compared to nonusers or infrequent users of social media, this group was:

• 5x more likely to buy cigarettes
• 3x more likely to drink
• 2x as likely to use marijuana

According to a study conducted by the Center on Addiction, teenagers who frequently visit social media sites depicting images of “kids that are drunk, passed out, or using drugs” are more likely to engage in tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use.

Roles of Communities and Schools

Social media imposes a powerful role in the daily life of teens. They are perpetually attached: eyes to screen and fingers are scrolling up and down. Whenever a student is feeling down, one of the first things they will do is go on their social media outlet and search for something to comfort them: an image of their favorite quote or something from the past.

 Maybe they search for a distraction to keep their head away from what is bringing them down. Perhaps they are looking to contact someone on their social media. In a way, one could say social media helps shape today’s teens in more ways than anyone could imagine.

Social media influences teens on alcohol and drugs with enormous ease. To keep up, other vital roles that play a part in a student’s life need to step up.

Community

One of the other primary roles that play a part in shaping today’s teens is the community. This includes family, friends, neighbors, and relatives. People who are constantly interacting, seeing, and visiting each other are the ones who deeply care about one another.

If a parent or guardian is aware that their teen is intrigued by watching their classmates or other people use drugs or drink, they should consider getting involved. Genuinely approach the student with concern and compassion.

 Sit them down and ask open-ended questions about substance use. Why are they watching those videos? What makes it cool? Do they know the harmful effects of using substances like alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and marijuana?

 Have they ever attempted to or did use them? While it may feel awkward, asking your teen questions like this is an excellent way to show you care. It could also give them a chance to understand the dangerous path they’re on.