A Systematic Review of the Impact of Exposure to Internet-Based Alcohol-Related Content on Young People's Alcohol Use Behaviours

Abstract

From 15 relevant studies identified, this review reports significant associations between exposure to Internet-based alcohol-related content and intentions to drink and positive attitudes towards alcohol drinking among young people, with different influences found at different stages of alcohol use.

Awareness of, and participation with, user-created alcohol promotion, and the association with higher-risk drinking in young adults

“…The results are consistent with previous research which has suggested that young adults are aware of, and participating with, user-created alcohol promotion, and that such exposure is associated with alcohol consumption and higher-risk drinking (Gupta et al, 2016;Moreno et al, 2016;Ridout, 2016;Westgate & Holliday, 2016). The results extend understanding by suggesting that user-created alcohol promotion which exists beyond social networking websites is also successful in reaching young adults and encouraging them to participate.…”

“…This includes drug use (Norman, Grace, & Lloyd, 2014), smoking (van Hoof, Bekkers, & van Vuuren, 2014, sexual risk (Kletteke, Hallford, & Mellor, 2014), violence (Zonfrillo, Arbogast, & Fien, 2014), self-harm (Avery, Rae, Summit, & Kahn, 2016), and multiple health-risk behaviours (Moreno, Parks, & Richardson, 2007). One relationship which is frequently referenced is a link between user-created content and alcohol consumption in young people (Gupta, Pettigrew, Lam, & Tait, 2016;Moreno et al, 2016;Ridout 2016;Westgate, & Holliday, 2016). Such user-created alcohol promotion is important as, distinct from commercial marketing, it is not bound to adhere to regulations for responsible promotion (see Committee of Advertising Practitioners, 2015, for guidelines in the UK) and young people consider peer messages to be an influential and accurate reflection of offline behaviour (Atkinson, Ross, Begley, & Sumnall, 2014;Moreno et al, 2009).…”

Sharing of Alcohol-Related Content on Social Networking Sites: Frequency, Content, and Correlates

“…Further, much of the research on the specific content in alcohol-related posts have been based on content analysis, which is a mode of measurement with several strengths but which also precludes insight in social media users' own perceptions of alcohol-related content. The vast majority of studies investigating the relationship between disclosure/exposure and alcohol use have employed cross-sectional designs, which precludes conclusions regarding directionality and causality (Gupta, Pettigrew, Lam, & Tait, 2016). Some longitudinal and experimental studies have, however, been conducted Huang, Unger, et al, 2014;.…”

The Myriad Influences of Alcohol Advertising on Adolescent Drinking

“…Prior reviews have focused on indices of alcohol marketing (i.e., price, promotion, product, and placement) and behavioral drinking outcomes [20], the role of digital media and its influences on adolescent drinking behavior [21, 22], and the effects of youth exposure to alcohol advertising longitudinally [23]. However, gaps in the literature remain, including whether specific demographic groups are over exposed to alcohol advertisements, mechanisms underlying how alcohol advertisements influence behavior and potential interventions geared towards reducing the effects of alcohol advertisements among youth.…”