Social Network and Teen Substance Abuse

Who would think that the use of social network would influence substance abuse on teenager?

A few studies have been conducted in the past years and shows that a Teenager that uses Facebook, Instagram, or other networking sites on a typical day is:

1.     5 times likelier to use tobacco

2.     3 times likelier to use alcohol

3.     Twice as likely to use marijuana

Why is that?

The freedom to post any kind of pictures on these networking sites, often involves picture of kids getting drunk, smoking, passed out after a party, or worse, using drugs. 40% of all teen surveyed, have seen these pictures (Casa Columbia Survey) and these kids are:

1.     3 times likelier to use alcohol

2.     4 times likelier to use marijuana

3.     Much likelier to have friends who abuse illegal and prescription drugs.

Other factor can drives teenager to substance abuse, such as television and movies. But even with all the studies conducted, 89% parents out there still feel that social media sites wouldn’t make their child more likely to use drugs.

Where do you stand on this?