Social media is used as a platform for drugs, Volteface study reveals
by Startacus Admin
According to a study recently carried out by the advocacy group Volteface, it has been revealed that social media platforms are frequently being used in order to advertise illicit drugs.
Unfortunately, the same research has concluded that advertisements for illegal drugs is being promoted to young people and even children.
How many people have seen the adverts for illicit drugs?
The report has found out that on average one in four young people have seen drug adverts on social media sites. 
The poll involved over 2,006 16-24-year-olds across the country, which was nationally representative and conducted by Survation. The study involved asking the participants questions regarding drug adverts on social media platforms.
Potentially worrying is also the fact that the Volteface study has revealed that nearly half of under 18s who were questioned in the survey were not worried about illegal drug ads appearing on their social media.
Which platforms involved the most adverts for drugs?
In the study, those who participated were asked which platforms they saw advertisements by drug dealers. They revealed that most ads for substances were from Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook.
For example, 56% of those who said they had witnessed drugs for sale on social media said they saw them on Snapchat, whilst 55% said they saw drug ads on Instagram and 47% on Facebook.
A spokesman from ZAK Agency, an independent creative agency generating big brand ideas that engage under 30s, commented:
“Digital marketers are able to find ways around the strict marketing guidelines and still 
promote illegal products and substances – meanwhile some legitimate products struggle to get approved in the first place.’
‘It is certainly a call for social media giants to get even stricter with what they advertise and for consumers to report anything suspicious whenever they can.”
What drug was being advertised the most online?
In terms of the substance that was being the most widely advertised online to young people, those in the survey said it was cannabis, with 63% of participants seeing it sold online. This was followed by cocaine, seen by 26% of respondents and 24% seeing ecstasy being sold online.
It was also prescription drugs that had been mentioned as being sold online on social media platforms. For example, over 20% of respondents stated they had seen advertisements for the benzodiazepine Xanax.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Innovate UK KTN’s Sustainable Impact Investment Programme chooses 13 sustainable UK startups striving to change the world
.jpg)
Etihad Airways partners with Aerospace Xelerated and Tawazun Economic Council to seek applications from innovative startups that are working in the digital services and solutions area.
.jpg)
New cross-border collaboration project featuring interactive portal and series of networking events to be delivered by TechIreland and Startacus, with support from InterTradeIreland’s Synergy initiative.
In London later this week and interested in learning how AI can help startups scale? Book your ticket now for this free event from Women in AI featuring a panel of industry experts discussing just that.
The latest Funding Review from TechIreland reveals that Irish Startups raised €746M in the first-half 2022 but early-stage rounds have dropped to a five-year low.
London-based SaaS startup Evorra has created a data marketplace enabling brands and agencies to build and scale their marketing audiences.
Artist John Kerr set to exhibit a series of personal paintings at The Spot, the urban-art focused gallery in Derry as part of Culture Night 2022.
The lowdown on customer behaviour analysis - what it's all about, the kinds of things that can have an impact on it and how to get it right.
.png)
The innovative businesses participating in this year’s AI Accelerator, delivered by The University of Edinburgh’s Innovation Hub for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, the Bayes Centre are revealed.
Edinburgh-based startup SmpliCare innovating how we care and age by exploring the use of AI-driven wearables to predict the risk of falls and other age-related health issues
Published on: 15th October 2019
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Innovate UK KTN launches its 2022 sustainable impact accelerator programme 28th Sep 2022 Innovate UK KTN’s Sustainable Impact Investment Programme chooses 13 sustainable UK startups striving to change the world
- Etihad Airways Joins Aerospace Xelerated as a Partner for its Fourth Cohort 27th Sep 2022 Etihad Airways partners with Aerospace Xelerated and Tawazun Economic Council to seek applications from innovative startups that are working in the digital services and solutions area.
- TechIreland & Startacus promote cross-border business collaboration with InterTradeIreland support 26th Sep 2022 New cross-border collaboration project featuring interactive portal and series of networking events to be delivered by TechIreland and Startacus, with support from InterTradeIreland’s Synergy initiative.
- TechIreland publish their mid-year report on Irish startup and tech funding. 22nd Sep 2022 The latest Funding Review from TechIreland reveals that Irish Startups raised €746M in the first-half 2022 but early-stage rounds have dropped to a five-year low.
