Scottish university researchers find link between social media and alcohol use
Researchers at the University of Glasgow studied the time teenagers used social media every day at 14 years old
Last updated 28th Sep 2023
Teenagers spending half an hour or more on social media each day may be more at risk of alcohol use and binge drinking, according to a new report.
Researchers at the University of Glasgow studied the time teenagers used social media every day at 14 years old to see if it influenced their reported use of alcohol by the time they were 17 years old.
It concluded that 17-year-olds spending 30 minutes or more a day on social media while they were aged 14 were more likely to report consuming alcohol, compared to those who used social media less.
The report also found adolescents who spent two or more hours a day on social media were almost five times more likely to drink alcohol than those who spent one hour to less than 30 minutes a day on social media.
Furthermore, teenagers from more socio-economically advantaged backgrounds who used social media often were more likely to drink than those from less advantaged backgrounds.
Amrit Kaur Purba, the lead author of the study, said: "Our study suggests social media use may increase risk of alcohol use and binge drinking, with evidence that the longer young people spend on social media the more likely they are to use alcohol by age 17.
"These findings add more weight to the argument that we need to create better tailored guidance for the length of time young people should spend on social media, accounting for their individual needs and circumstances, as well as prioritising regulation around how alcohol-related content is displayed to young users."
The paper was supported by the Medical Research Council, the Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office, NHS Research Scotland and the Wellcome Trust.
The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.