A Preliminary Examination of Alcohol-Related Social Networking Site Consequences Among Adolescents and Young Adults

This study investigated consequences of posting about alcohol on social networking sites and explore their associations with drinking behavior and social networking site-related cognitions. A sample of 306 participants aged 15-20 completed surveys from which the data is drawn. Results revealed that individuals who posted about alcohol on social networking sites experienced various consequences, including interpersonal conflicts, guilt, shame, and embarrassment. While legal and job repercussions were rare, unwanted attention and negative comments on posts were reported. Correlations demonstrated positive associations between social networking site consequences and drinking consequences, as well as with social norms and perceived vulnerability. Notably, the frequency of alcohol-related posts and willingness to engage in such behavior was not associated with consequences. Additional item-level correlations primarily supported the overall correlational findings. Findings highlight that further research is warranted to unravel the complex interplay between social networking site use, alcohol consumption, and related consequences.