4288.0 - Social media influences on youth substance use and mental health in an urban Northeastern U.S. city

Program: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs

Session: Harm Reduction and Health Equity in Vulnerable Populations (Outstanding Student Work)

Authors: Raquel Rose, Sitara Weerakoon, Shreya Jadhav, Ijeoma Opara

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Abstract

Social media is a popular method for youth to communicate, be entertained, and escape reality. However, youth have grown reliant on social media, suggesting major effects in substance use and mental health behaviors. Prior research has highlighted associations between adolescence and increased substance use and declines in mental health, including heightened anxiety and depression. This study explores the social media content youth are exposed to and examines how such exposure influences their behaviors and perceptions on substance use and mental health while considering peer dynamics.

Twenty youth between the ages of 13-21 years were recruited from youth serving organizations in an urban city in New Jersey and interviewed from July to August 2024. The sample had a mean age of 16 years, 80% identified as male and 20% identified as female, and 55% identified as Black/African American, 25% identified as Afro-Latino, and 15% identified as Hispanic/Latino. Additionally, 30% of the sample were justice-involved.

Rapid qualitative analysis was conducted to identify three themes. First was “Social media increases exposure to substance use content, which may influence youth behavior”, with youth seeing smoking and vaping content on Instagram and TikTok and worrying about the impact on younger children. Second was “Mental health content is widely present but varies in accuracy and influence”, with youth recognizing the variety of mental health content but mixed reactions to the influence of social media on mental health. Third was “There is a need for more authentic substance use prevention messaging”, as youth emphasized the need for trusted messengers to be honest and engaging to increase awareness about substance use.

Findings demonstrate a need for researchers to collaborate with youth in the development and dissemination of tailored social media-based public health interventions to address the knowledge gaps among youth on substance use and mental health.