Table of Contents
There are increasing behavioral consequences, such as mimicking behavior seen on platforms like Instagram, Tik-Tok, and Twitter. These social media platforms market themselves as fun, safe places to connect with peers and family. The dark reality is that these negative influences could be fueling your addiction.
How does the media affect substance abuse?
Media portrayals of one’s identified peer group using substances in appealing settings then influences the initiation of substance use by associating substance use with that identified peer group. (drawing from social identity theory).
With these sites only growing in popularity and number, many people are starting to look at the connection between social media and substance abuse. One study found that teens who use social media are more likely to use tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana than their peers who don’t.
How does social media influence alcohol and drug use?
Social media can combine traditional media exposure to alcohol-related content with peer interactivity (e.g., peer endorsement of specific behaviors), resulting in a potentially even more powerful influence on drinking behavior.
What factors play a role in substance abuse?
Certain factors can affect the likelihood and speed of developing an addiction:
- Family history of addiction. Drug addiction is more common in some families and likely involves genetic predisposition.
- Mental health disorder.
- Peer pressure.
- Lack of family involvement.
- Early use.
- Taking a highly addictive drug.
How social media affects us today?
Since it’s a relatively new technology, there’s little research to establish the long-term consequences, good or bad, of social media use. However, multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts.
Social Factors that increase risk for adolescent substance use can include popularity, bullying, peer relationships, and association with gangs. Other possible factors are social and familial influences are often present simultaneously.
What is the impact of social media on human behavior?
Most of the social media content creators face cyberbullying, threats and trolling. People, who are used to harass others online tend to develop more violent behaviour. Some people, especially teens suffer from anxiety and depression when they face cyber-bullying.