Program Reviews

Social Media Intervention to Reduce Alcohol Use Among Youth

Program Overview

This program is a harm reduction focused social media (Facebook) intervention among risky drinking youth. The intervention is delivered over Facebook closed groups (content viewable only to invited members) over 8 weeks. Trained bachelor’s and master’s level coaches post content and interact with participants. Coaches are trained in Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy skills with weekly supervisions. Posts focus on upstream motives for alcohol and other drug use. Participants can also initiate posts about daily struggles or life events.

Last updated: 08/28/2023

Delivery:
Web-based

Theoretical Approach:
Motivational interviewing
Cognitive behavioral therapy

Target Substance:
Alcohol

Target Outcomes:
Alcohol use reduction

Age:
Adolescents (11-17 years old)
Young Adult (18-30 years old)

Gender:
Female
Male

Race:
Asian
Black or African American
Multiracial
White
Other

Ethnicity:
Hispanic/Latinx

Setting:
Social Media Platform

Geographic Location:
USA

Language:
English

Index Study Publication Date:
2022

Evaluations

  • Study Design: RCT

    Study Type: Efficacy/Effectiveness

    Sample Size: N=955

    Demographics:

    Age
    Mean=20.4 years (SD=2.6)

    Gender
    Female: 54.5%
    Male: 55.5%
    Non-Binary+: Not Reported

    Race
    American Indian or Alaska Native: Not Reported
    Asian: 5.3%
    Black or African American: 12.5%
    Black multiracial: 6.8%
    White: 62.6%
    Other: 12.8%

    Ethnicity
    Hispanic/Latinx: 20.2%

  • Bonar EE, Schneeberger DM, Bourque C, et al. Social Media Interventions for Risky Drinking Among Adolescents and Emerging Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2020;9(5):e16688. 2020 May 13. doi:10.2196/16688