Comments about ‘Facebook, Twitter linked to teen drug use, study says’

Oh please. I'm as socially conservative as they come, but this is absolutely ludicrous.

"Facebook and Twitter linked to teen drug use, study says"

So does television, radio, friends, school, family and other forms of internet.

What's with this newspaper?
The DN uses it's space to report this?
Please check out some other world and national new sources, and consider providing your readers with some of the "real news" out there.
We all have to go to elsewhere for unbiased views, and stories that contain meaningful, but non- LDS influenced information.
Thanks!

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that in reality about 70% of teens into tech type pastimes are already into some kind of alcohol or drug use. Ask most people who have played an online game with a live chat, such as XBox Live. Most teens on these types of forums use, talk about using, or pretend to use drugs and alcohol. The real tragedy of this story is if any public funds were used to fund this research. Hopefully it was just a senior thesis and based on the author's own and his/her friends who use social media.

no fit in SG
Just FYI journalism is dead. There is NO place to go for real unbiased news. There are only sources whom we tend to agree with more or less based on our own views.

'Facebook, Twitter linked to teen drug use, study says' - Title

If Facebook is such a 'threat'...

then why does the LDS church support using 'social media' (i.e. Facebook) to spread the gospel?

'We love you - President Boyd K. Packer' facebook site ringing any bells?

*'Mormon youths support President Packer through Facebook' - By Scott Taylor, Deseret News - 10/11/10

Hello..?

I think the researchers reached a backwards conclusion. I think (as others have asserted already) that teens who use drugs, alcohol, etc. ALSO use Facebook, Twitter and other social media. No doubt, some teens probably have become involved in those, and other activities through social media connections, but I don't think that's the case for most teens using those media.

There are many bad things connected to online activity. I find it rather interesting that they are calling out Facebook and Twitter and not calling out x-rated sites as well. Those that are not watching what their children are surfing are not watching what they are doing in school or after school either. Once they score the drugs online they have to get the money and they have to leave home to get them. You can't smoke Facebook or Twitter. So what is your point Deseret News? Do you suggest we take all things social out of our children's lives because of those that don't care what their children do?

There are causations and correlations and negative correlations. This isn't a causation and probably a negative correlation.

This article's beneficial content is lacking as it's suggestions. What is a parent to do - ban facebook, twitter and other social media? Good luck with that. I think the study is basically flawed in that it is probably coincidental that teenagers who abuse substances are on facebook along with those who do not. Interestingly though, one of my teenagers who has been caught with illegal substances used facebook to "brag" about his proposed use and got caught by an alert older sibling - enabling his parents to address the subject appropriately. I am not a member of facebook by choice, I am a member by parent - I like to see what the teenagers are doing now and then. I am not by any means as successful as I would like to be, but I think it is a start. Trust a teenager, don't - go ahead and see what their up to.

What is troubling is not the correlation between social networking and alcohol, tobacco and drug use, but dumb stories/studies like this that confuse correlation with causation.

Heard the best line in regards to this.

'You know what ALSO drives teen drug use?

DRUGS!'

Potheads more likely to use facebook. Different headline, same idea.

It is really facebook and twitter that are the bottom line of the influence; it is the peer group that is already into these practices and the social media becomes another avenue of influence. As mentioned in other postings, there are many other ways for teens and young adults to have exposure to tobacco, alcohol and durgs. When you add them all up, it is overwhelming. School is also a bad influence, both because of peer influence and the adverse subject matter presented. As to suggestions, one came last week in the article about families eating together being a positive influence. Solid parental involvement is a strong force so having parents present and concerned makes a big difference. Helping teens, and young adults, be directed into good activities, jobs and volunteering all contribute toward avoiding the bad stuff.

You can either teach your children the harm this choice makes or they will find some other means of finding drug use. Spend tine with your children, show them how good choices can help them.

Don't be the ignorant parent that assumes you have a good kid and would never do this kind of thing. The kind so involved with their cause or activity that they ignore the warning signs.

Blaming facebook or social media is senseless for drugs, cheating and other not so bright things people do.

Hmm, I could rant and rave about researchers from a highly respected university in New York or I could share the article with my teenage children and discuss with them what they have seen on Facebook and how they feel about it. Hmm, tough choice!

I would bet that those who skydive or scuba are more likely to drink alcohol than the general public.

So, does skydiving cause alcohol consumption?

There is correlation and there is causation.

This article makes no distinction.

Perhaps it is drug use that causes people to use facebook. Or maybe it is some un-named thing that causes teens to use drugs AND facebook.

Facebook is actually more quite effective in passing on stupidity by gullible people reporting outright lies, untruths and hoaxes. maybe that is what leads to drug use.

I will unfriend anyone that reposts the facebook starts charging rumor.

facebook provides an easy to access network, but lets face it stupid is as stupid does. we all know that stupid is everywhere, and that it is a choice that people make with full knowledge and ability. so in the end it isnt facebooks fault. like any other tool it can be used badly.

oh yeah thats right lets just blame Facebook for everything including global warming -- heres a clue for ya ! personal responsibility