Abstract
To estimate the effect of social media use in 14 year olds on risk of and inequalities in alcohol use and binge drinking at 17 years.
Methods
Using the UK-representative Millennium Cohort Study, the relationship between time spent on social media (assessed using questionnaires [n = 8987] and time-use-diaries [n = 2520]) with frequency of alcohol use in the past month and binge drinking was estimated using adjusted odds ratios (AORs) or adjusted relative risk ratios (ARRRs). Associations within low and high parental education groups were compared to examine effect modification. Analyses accounted for pre-specified confounders, baseline outcome measures (to address reverse causality), sample design, attrition and item-missingness (through multiple imputation).
Results
Questionnaire-reported time spent on social media was associated with increased risk of alcohol use and binge drinking in a dose–response manner. Compared to 1-< 30 min/day social media users, 30 min-<1 h/day users were more likely to report alcohol use ≥6 times/month (ARRR 1.62 [95% confidence interval 1.20 to 2.20]) and binge drinking (AOR 1.51 [1.22 to 1.87]), as were 1–<2 h/day users (ARRR 2.61 [1.90 to 3.58]; AOR 2.06 [1.69 to 2.52]) and ≥2 h/day users (ARRR 4.80 [3.65 to 6.32]; AOR 3.07 [2.54 to 3.70]). Social media measured by time-use-diary was associated with higher risks, although not always demonstrating a dose–response relationship. The effect of social media use (vs no-use) on binge drinking was larger in the higher (vs lower) parental education groups. Analyses repeated in complete case samples, and with adjustment for baseline outcome measures revealed consistent findings.
Conclusions
Findings suggest social media use may increase risk of alcohol use and binge drinking. Regulatory action protecting adolescents from harmful alcohol-related social media content is necessary.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | ckad163 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1043-1051 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | European Journal of Public Health |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Early online date | 12 Sept 2023 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 12 Sept 2023 |
Funding
We thank the participants in the MCS for their time, and the Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS), UCL Social Research Institute and UK Data Service for their work in preparing the data. However, neither CLS nor the UK Data Service bear any responsibility for the analysis or interpretation of these data. We also thank the study funders: Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00022/2), Chief Scientist Office (SPHSU17), NHS Research Scotland (SCAF/15/02), the Wellcome Trust (205412/Z/16/Z) and the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (AA019606). This work was supported by the Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00022/2), Chief Scientist Office (SPHSU17), an NHS Research Scotland Senior Clinical Fellowship (SCAF/15/02) and the Wellcome Trust (205412/Z/16/Z). The alcohol use variables in MCS5 were co-funded by grant AA019606 from the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The funders played no active role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data; preparation, review or approval of the manuscript; or decision to submit the manuscript for publication.
Keywords
- social media
- adolescents
- alcohol use
- binge drinking
- alcohol abuse
