With the impending college application deadlines, it may be time for students to step back from social media and clear their feed. Each scroll can tempt students to pick up a bottle, but one post with a drink can ruin all chances of those long-awaited college acceptances.
A 2012 study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University states, “Last year we noticed a correlation between teens who saw pictures of kids getting drunk, passed out or using drugs on social networking sites and their likelier use of alcohol and marijuana.”
Although published more than a decade ago, the study’s findings remain true. TikTok was ranked as the third most popular social media among Gen Z according to Statista.com, with the app not shying away from alcohol and drug related content. From “Black Out Rage Gallons (BORGS)” to “Vodka Eyeballing,” drinking trends not only consume TikTok, but influence its young viewers.
Along with impaired judgment, interfered brain development and death, underage drinking can also bear a large risk to college acceptance, especially when social media is involved. Although teens are warned of the risks regarding digital footprint, such dangers often go over teens’ heads.
“I know a lot of people who have posted openly on social media with alcohol, and it genuinely concerns me,” said a student who asked for their name to be withheld.
Social media profiles act as the online persona of each applicant, so posting proof of underage drinking can be a red flag for potential schools and employers. As CollegeData.com claims, 33% of colleges check social media and there has been a 10% increase of this estimate over the past two years. Consequently, a clean feed can be just as important as an essay or test score.
“My sister’s friend didn’t get into a college because she posted with an alcohol bottle, “ said the same student.
Posting with an illegal drink carries repercussions students may not initially consider.
“I do think teens post with alcohol without considering the consequences it can have, not only for college applications but job opportunities,” one anonymous student said. “Whether we like it or not, everything online is permanent.”
