A new study has unveiled alarming connections between excessive social media use and substance experimentation in pre-teens, raising urgent questions about the role of social media companies in safeguarding young users.

The findings, published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, suggest that pre-teens who spend excessive time on social platforms are more likely to experiment with alcohol and tobacco. This research adds to the growing body of evidence that implicates social media in fostering risky behaviors among impressionable youth.

The Study’s Revelations

The study analyzed a nationally representative sample of U.S. pre-teens, revealing that those spending extended hours on social media are at higher risk of engaging in early substance use. The authors point to the pervasive influence of these platforms, where glamorized depictions of alcohol and tobacco use create a sense of normalcy around risky behaviors. For pre-teens, these exposures can lead to experimentation and, ultimately, addiction.

The study found that spending more time on recreational screen activities like texting, social media, and video chatting increases the likelihood of experimenting with substances such as alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis.

Alcohol use was the most prevalent substance used among participants. 

For every additional hour spent texting or on social media per day, participants had significantly higher odds of trying these substances in the following year. Video chatting also showed a smaller but still significant increase in the odds of substance use. However, watching TV, playing video games, or browsing the internet were not linked to substance experimentation. The findings were consistent across genders and racial/ethnic groups.

This correlation intensifies concerns over social media’s broader impact on mental health and decision-making. According to Preventive Medicine, early substance experimentation is often linked to long-term addiction and a host of health problems, making this an issue of public health significance.

Leaders in Social Media Addiction Lawsuits Respond

The growing evidence of harm has fueled legal actions against social media companies, led by attorneys like Emmie Paulos and Jeff Gaddy of Levin Papantonio. These lawyers represent individuals, schools, and local governments in lawsuits aimed at holding tech giants accountable for social media addiction and its consequences.

“The study linking excessive social media use to early substance experimentation in pre-teens is another urgent wake-up call,” Paulos said. “Social media platforms design algorithms that exploit young, impressionable minds, leading to real-world consequences like risky behavior and poor mental health. This is why we’re holding these companies accountable—they need to prioritize the well-being of kids over profits.”

Gaddy underscored the societal costs: “This research underscores what we’ve been warning about: the unchecked influence of social media on youth behavior has far-reaching implications. School districts, in particular, are left to pick up the pieces, bearing the cost of increased substance abuse education and intervention programs. Our lawsuits aim to shift that burden back to the companies profiting from this harm.”

Levin Papantonio’s Fight for Justice

Levin Papantonio has stood at the forefront of litigation targeting social media companies for their role in fostering addiction among young users. The firm’s Social Media Addiction Lawsuits Information Center highlights how these platforms employ algorithms designed to maximize user engagement, often to the detriment of users’ mental health. These algorithms can push harmful content, amplify peer pressure, and create environments conducive to risky behaviors, including substance experimentation.

The firm’s lawsuits aim to not only secure compensation for victims but also force industry-wide changes to protect future generations. By representing schools and local governments, the attorneys seek to alleviate the financial burden these entities face when addressing the fallout from social media addiction.

The Broader Implications

The connection between social media use and substance experimentation is part of a larger conversation about the ethical responsibilities of tech companies. While platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat offer avenues for connection and creativity, they also wield immense influence over their users’ perceptions and behaviors. This power, when misused, can have devastating consequences, especially for pre-teens navigating formative years.

Call for Change

Studies like the one in Drug and Alcohol Dependence serve as a stark reminder of the need for systemic reform. Legal efforts spearheaded by Levin Papantonio aim to push tech companies toward greater accountability, emphasizing child safety over profit margins. These lawsuits are not just about compensation—they represent a broader movement to create safer digital environments for young people.

As Emmie Paulos puts it, “Social media companies have the resources and technology to make platforms safer. It’s time they use them for good.”

RESOURCES FOR THIS ARTICLE:

• Jason M. Nagata et al, Prospective Association between Screen Use Modalities and Substance Use Experimentation in Early Adolescents, Drug and Alcohol Dependence (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.112504
• Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Information Center
• Federal Judge Upholds Key School District Claims in Social Media Addiction Lawsuit [LP NEWS]