Summary
Teen drug, alcohol, and tobacco use in the U.S. continues to decline, with record-low usage levels reported in 2023, according to the University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future survey.
Among 12th graders, 66% reported no recent use of alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, while 80% of 10th graders and 90% of 8th graders avoided these substances entirely.
Experts attribute the decline partly to reduced peer pressure during the pandemic.
However, nicotine pouch use has doubled among 12th graders, raising concerns.
Despite pop culture’s glamorization of smoking, teen cigarette use remains low.
Gaming and social media is the new addiction.
Considering the article specifies that drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are “social” activities, I think this makes sense. It’s not good that kids are shifting to solitary activities
Gaming is very much a social activity.
Try finding a triple A game released in the last 10 years that hasnt been heavily designed around multiplayer.
It hasnt been until indie games have really caught on, perhaps as a result of the shift towards open world multiplayer gaming that now dominates, that there is still a market for those types of games.
I know multiple married people that used gaming to connect with each other when they had to be apart.
I was actually on one of those married couples first date because they played league of legends, and that was how I even knew them.
Try finding a triple A game released in the last 10 years that hasnt been heavily designed around multiplayer
What? In 2024 alone, would you say games like Alan Wake 2, Baldurs Gate 3 or Elden Ring are “heavily designed around multiplayer”?
Sure you have your FIFA’s and CoD and a bunch of other MP games, but single player games are still a thing.
Try finding a triple A game released in the last 10 years that hasnt been heavily designed around multiplayer.
cyberpunk 2077
It’s solitary social activity. Going out and seeing real people can’t be compared to a night gaming. The fact that people don’t see each other is actually a very bad thing because it could be a sign of greater depression and loneliness
I’m 41, and my cousin has young teens. I asked “Do kids today even play video games?”
And she said “Not in the way you would think. It’s not about playstation or nintendo. It’s about cell phones and tablets.”
Which made me sad. App gaming is laaaaaame.
I hope that’s just your experience - being relegated to mobile games would be sad. I mean I’m addicted too but I recognize they’re just a time and attention waster.
My older teens are pretty avid gamers as are their friends. One of them started a gaming club at his school! They’re such great kids they sometimes let their Mom or me join a party, and they don’t laugh too hard
Yeah as much as this is good news, I think it’s just a sign of changes that have come in the digital age. Young people go out less in general, because their social life is all online. This is probably safer for them at the end of the day - less driving and less access to substances through friends. But still… the fact that young people are glued to their screens all the time is disturbing. Their lives may be longer, but what is the point of living when all you do is sit inside and consume social media?
