Social media and substance use

A young man talks to a woman while seated on a bench outside

A hand holds a small plastic baggie with a blue pill

A woman scrolls on a cell phone seated in a car

What role does social media play in substance use?

Teens may see posts on social media that show alcohol and drug use in a positive light. Exposure to posts about substances may be part of the reason young people using social media regularly are more likely to use drugs and alcohol. Tobacco and alcohol companies can also market to teenagers on social media. In addition, drug dealers can easily sell fake pills on social media.

What can I do to help prevent my child from buying and using substances from social media?

Stay Involved: Research shows that parent monitoring can help prevent substance use. Pay attention to who your child spends time with (in-person and online) and if this changes. If you find evidence that your child is seeking out drugs online, it's time to start a conversation.

Start talking: Take the time on the drive to school or during dinner to discuss substance use and check in with your kid about whether they are using substances. If you are looking for scripts or conversation starters, check out this Parent Talk Kit from the Partnership for Drug-free Kids.

Sources

Costello, C., & Ramo, D. (2017). Social Media and Substance Use: What Should We Be Recommending to Teens and Their Parents? Journal of Adolescent Health, 60(6), 629–630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.03.017

Drug Enforcement Administration. (2022). Social Media Drug Trafficking Threat.

Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). One Pill Can Kill. Retrieved February 7, 2023, from https://www.dea.gov/onepill

SAMHSA. Why You Should Talk With Your Child About Alcohol and Other Drugs. (n.d.). Retrieved February 7, 2023, from https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/parent-resources/why-you-should-talk-your-child

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