Alcohol advertising on social media is a constant presence for young Australian university students, raising concerns about how online environments may normalise drinking and influence risky alcohol behaviours. In a University of Queensland study, 125 students aged 17–24 scrolled Facebook or Instagram for 30 minutes and recorded every alcohol ad they saw. On average, students encountered one ad every 2 minutes and 43 seconds. Many ads used direct prompts to purchase, highlighted easy access through delivery or subscriptions, and offered discounts or special deals. The findings position social media alcohol marketing as a significant environmental risk factor that can shape attitudes, increase exposure to drinking cues, and contribute to harmful alcohol use. University wellbeing strategies should account for students’ digital environments and consider stronger harm‑minimisation education, safer event planning, and advocacy for tighter regulation of alcohol marketing to young people.
Citation: Rutherford, B.N., Leung, J., Stjepanović, D., Chan, G.C.K. Through the looking glass: An alcohol advertisement every 3 minutes. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2024. (link)
