Journal of Health Communication · 2009 · 44 citations · 39 references
Public HealthHealth BehaviorAdolescent HealthSubstance Use DisordersSubstance Use PreventionPeer InfluenceSocial MediaAnti-drug CampaignsDrug Information DisseminationDrug Use By AdolescentsExploratory Case StudyOnline Health Information SeekingSubstance Use Communication
Online drug information is readily accessible to adolescents, yet the impact of antidrug media campaigns and prevention exposure on their internet use for drug information remains unclear, warranting investigation. The study explores drug‑related website viewing among 12–18‑year‑old adolescents using National Survey of Parents and Youth data (N = 7,145). About 10 % of adolescents accessed drug‑related sites, with 5 % visiting only antidrug sites, 2 % only prodrug sites, and 3 % both; antidrug site use was low despite national campaigns, while prodrug site viewers were more likely to have used inhalants, been offered marijuana, perceived low risk, intended use, had drug‑using peers, low parental monitoring, and prior antidrug media exposure; antidrug site viewing correlated with demographic and prevention factors, and overall prevention exposure appeared to heighten curiosity and site visits.
Given the uncertain effects of antidrug media campaigns, and the ease of finding online illegal drug information, research is needed on the Internet role in disseminating drug information to youths. This exploratory study analyzes National Survey of Parents and Youth (NSPY) data on drug website viewing among 12–18 year olds (N = 7,145). Approximately 10.4% reported drug-related website exposure: 5.4% viewed only websites that communicated how to avoid drugs or bad things about drugs (antidrug websites); 1.7% only viewed websites that communicated how to use drugs and good things about drugs (prodrug websites); and 3.2% viewed both types of websites. The low rates of viewing antidrug websites occurred despite efforts in the National Youth Antidrug Media Campaign (NYAMC) to encourage youths to visit such websites. Prodrug website viewers had used inhalants and been offered marijuana, perceived little risk in trying marijuana, intended to use marijuana, had close friends who used drugs, reported low parental monitoring, and had been exposed to antidrug media messages. Viewing antidrug websites was related to gender, income, likelihood of using marijuana in the next 12 months, having close friends who use drugs and talking to friends about avoiding drugs, parental monitoring, and drug prevention exposure. Prior prevention exposure increased drug website viewing overall, perhaps by increasing general curiosity about drugs. Because adolescents increasingly seek health information online, research is needed on how they use the Internet as a drug information source, the temporal relationships of prevention exposure and drug website viewing, and the effects of viewing prodrug websites on drug risk.
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Choice Reviews Online · 1990 · 35.7K citations
Protecting Adolescents From Harm
Michael D. Resnick · JAMA · 1997 · 2.8K citations