Is Social Media Driving Anabolic Steroid Use?

Social Media use by teenagers is at an all-time high. Recent numbers show that 81 percent[1] of teens now use social media, and 70 percent use it more than once a day. Access is at their fingertips - 89 percent of teens now own their own smartphone.

While social media has many benefits for social interaction, it also creates a very real risk of social comparison. Our youth are exposed to images every day that tell them what they are “supposed” to look like. Celebrities, fitness influencers, healthy lifestyle endorsers, and more populate our social media daily. Are these images creating body dissatisfaction due to the comparisons they cause us all to make?

This pressure to have what society tells us is the “perfect body image” is something many of our youth struggle with. Regardless of the source of this pressure, many are turning to Appearance and Performance Enhancing Substances for the answer. Experts agree that the number one reason why users turn to Anabolic Steroids is to improve physical appearance[2]. This pressure to have the “perfect body” is why we believe that close to 2 million[3] young people are using these dangerous drugs.

Using social media, dealers have discovered a way to market their drugs to children on their devices in the privacy of our homes.[1] ttps://www.digitalcitizensalliance.org/clientuploads/directory/Reports/DCA_Platforms_on_Steroids_Report-Final.pdf

An even bigger concern with social media is found in a recent report released by Washington, D.C. - based Digital Citizens Alliance (DCA). Their study indicated that drug dealers are peddling Anabolic Steroids and Human Growth Hormone (HGH) on social media platforms including YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. The six-month DCA investigation found that companies distributing the illegal drugs advertised by using various social media sites to reach their often underage target audience, with no age-related barriers in place to prohibit youth from purchasing the drugs. The pressure and the product are now both available in the same space.

How can we make sure our children are using social media in a positive way, that builds up their self-esteem, especially in this crucial stage of development? It all starts with education and having a conversation with our loved ones.

The Taylor Hooton Foundation provides education on these topics and inspires students to achieve their goals all on their own. Not only does our website contain conversation-starters on this topic, but we also offer our ALL ME^®Assembly education programs that focus on:

Appearance & Performance Enhancing Substances
Nutrition & Dietary Supplement Safety

To inquire about scheduling one of our education programs for your students, staff, community or parents, please visit www.taylorhooton.org or connect with us by email at info@taylorhooton.org.