Emma S. Spiro (PI), Melissa Lewis (PI), Data Litt (PI)
With most (90%) young adults (YAs) on social networking sites (SNS) (Pew Research Center, 2014), YAs can quickly and widely send, receive, and access information (Boyd & Ellison, 2007). Up to 85% of YA Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter profiles include alcohol-related content (e.g., Cavazos-Rehg et al., 2015; Litt et al., 2015; Moreno et al., 2007, 2009); thus, YAs are sharing and exposed to alcohol content on SNS. Alcohol displays on SNS are associated with YA high-risk drinking cognitions and problem drinking (e.g., Fournier et al., 2013; Glassman, 2012; Lewis et al., 2016; Litt & Stock, 2011; Moreno et al., 2012; Teunnisen et al., 2014). With these multiple modes of communication about alcohol, SNS are influential risk-conducive (online) environments that allow for YA alcohol displays, which impact drinking cognitions and alcohol use. In this project we focus on offline (i.e., not internet-based) and online (i.e., specific to SNS) modes of social influence for YA alcohol use.