Teens who drink spend more time on Internet

Teenagers who consume alcohol spend more time on their computers for recreational use, including social networking and downloading and listening to music, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College, was based on a survey of 264 teenagers, aged 13 to 17.

Results showed that teens who reported drinking in the last month used a computer more hours per week excluding school work than those who did not; however, there was no demonstrated link between alcohol use and computer use for school work.

Drinking was also linked to more frequent social networking and listening to and downloading music. There was no strong link between video games and drinking or online shopping and drinking.

“While the specific factors linking teenage drinking and computer use are not yet established, it seems likely that adolescents are experimenting with drinking and activities on the Internet,” said Epstein, assistant professor of public health at Weill Cornell Medical College.

“In turn, exposure to online material such as alcohol advertising or alcohol-using peers on social networking sites could reinforce teens” drinking.

“Children are being exposed to computers and the Internet at younger ages. For this reason it”s important that parents are actively involved in monitoring their children”s computer usage, as well as alcohol use,” he added.
The study was reported in the online edition of the journal Addictive Behaviors.