The Influence of Social Media on Addictive Behaviors in College Students

Abstract

Background: Social media has become a primary way for college students to communicate aspects of their daily lives to those within their social network. Such communications often include substance use displays (e.g., selfies of college students drinking). Furthermore, students’ substance use displays have been found to robustly predict not only the poster(s)’ substance use-related outcomes (e.g., consumption, problems) but also that of their social networking peers. Purpose of Review: The current review summarizes findings of recent literature exploring the intersection between social media and substance use. Recent Findings: Specifically, we examine how and why such substance use displays might shape college students’ internalized norms surrounding substance use and how they impact their substance use-related behaviors. Summary: Additional social media-related interventions are needed in order to target reduction of consumption among this at-risk group. We discuss the technological and methodological challenges inherent to conducting this type of research and devising interventions in this domain.