Temporal Relationships between Smartphone Application Use and Online Substance Procurement in U.S. Youth

Despite the significant risks associated with online substance procurement (SP), few researchers have examined this practice in U.S. youth. The studies that do exist are cross-sectional and cannot temporally connect specific digital behaviors to online SP. This longitudinal cohort study examined youth SP and digital media habits to determine whether use of certain smartphone applications correlated with increased odds of online SP or being contacted online about procuring drugs or alcohol.

A cohort of U.S. youth (aged 15-20) with a history of non-daily substance use in the 3 months prior to enrollment was recruited to use the digital phenotyping smartphone application EARS for 90 days. On a nightly basis, participants were asked to complete surveys about online experiences related to SP and instances of substance use. Smartphone-generated screen use data were also collected passively each day.

Out of 112 enrolled participants, 106 were able to be included in analyses. Over approximately 3 months, 28.3% of participants (n=30) reported a collective 91 instances where they used social media to acquire drugs or alcohol. Screen use data demonstrated temporal relationships between social media SP and applications previously connected to the social media drug-purchasing process (e.g., TikTok, encrypted apps), as well as other school-specific social media.

Our results provide critically needed research evidence to support a body of literature composed predominantly of anecdotal reports. Despite measures taken by social media companies to prevent use of their platforms for drug procurement, underage youth continue to engage in this practice.