Marijuana Ads Are Reaching Kids and Teenagers Through Social Media
In today's digital age, social media platforms have become integral to our daily lives, offering avenues for communication, entertainment, and information sharing. However, alongside these benefits lies a concerning trend: the exposure of teens to marijuana advertisements through these very platforms. A recent report highlights how legal loopholes allow cannabis promotions to reach underage users, raising alarms among health experts and parents alike.
Despite federal regulations prohibiting the advertisement of marijuana sales or usage via federal airwaves or across state lines, these restrictions haven't fully extended to the realm of social media. Businesses can create their own pages and post content that, intentionally or not, becomes visible to younger audiences. Teens, often adept at navigating digital spaces, can bypass age restrictions, engaging with content that promotes products they're legally barred from purchasing. This engagement—liking, commenting, sharing—can inadvertently amplify the reach of such advertisements among peer networks.
The relationship between advertising exposure and consumer behavior is well-documented. For adolescents, encountering marijuana ads can lead to a diminished perception of the drug's risks, potentially increasing the likelihood of experimentation and regular use. While some studies indicate a decline in teen marijuana usage over the past decade, the persistent presence of these ads poses a continuous challenge. Notably, research has shown that chronic marijuana use during adolescence can lead to impaired information processing and decreased cognitive, memory, and attentive capacity in adulthood.
There are some strategies that Parents, Caregivers, and Peers can use to help navigate this digital landscape. First, establish a foundation of trust where teens feel comfortable discussing what they encounter online. Regular conversations about the content they see can provide insights into their digital experiences. Second, equip teens with the skills they need to critically analyze online content. Understanding the intent behind advertisements and recognizing subtle marketing tactics can empower them to make informed decisions that reflect their authentic selves. Third, collaboratively determine appropriate online behaviors and set guidelines for social media usage. This includes discussing the types of content they engage with and share. It is a necessary step in learning to navigate social media, for there to be boundaries and guardrails put into place during the initial exploration. This can often be done by leveraging platform-specific settings to restrict exposure to certain content. While certainly not foolproof, these tools can serve as an added layer of protection. Finally, parents should familiarize themselves with the platforms their teens use. Understanding the digital environment can aid in guiding and monitoring their online interactions.
The digital age offers unparalleled access to information and connectivity, but it also brings challenges that require vigilance and proactive engagement. By fostering open communication and promoting critical thinking, teens and their parents can navigate the online world safely, mitigating the influence of unwanted advertisements and making informed choices about substance use.
