Vaping and drug use are dangerous for teens, and social media has changed the landscape. To help parents understand the risks of vaping, the vape-to-drug pipeline, and how social media increases drug risks for teens, I turned to Detective Rich Wistocki, child crime expert and founder of BeSure Consulting. Here’s what I learned, including steps you can take today to protect your teen.
The American Cancer Society says no form of tobacco is safe. Here are the risks to teens from vaping:
Adolescent brains are more sensitive to rewards than adults, making teens potentially more susceptible to the effects of nicotine. Vape cartridges often contain very high nicotine levels yet feel less harsh than cigarettes. Experts warn of a high addiction risk for teens who vape.
Vaping is hard on the body. Here’s what can happen:
Some teens vape and stop there. For others, it’s a slippery slope.
According to Wistocki, not only do parents often miss the connection between vaping and drug use, but they frequently don’t understand the drug risks introduced by social media.
When kids younger than 13 lie about their age to get on social media, most say they were born in 2000, rather than do the fake-birthday math. That means that, online, they’re 26 — which means they don’t have the privacy protections of teen accounts and are much more likely to be approached by adults trying to sell them drugs.
Teens can also order drugs on Instagram and Snapchat and have them delivered. A report by the Tech Transparency Project found that it takes just two clicks for teens as young as 13 to potentially find drugs for sale online. Some teens turn to the so-called “Dark Web,” where they can buy weed, heroin, fentanyl, and more.
“If your kid is involved in drugs, it’s in their cell phone,” says Wistocki. Here are the digital red flags that could mean your child is using drugs:
While phones hold important clues, Wistocki also cautions parents to watch for these warning signs in real life, such as in your child’s room:
Don’t wait until you catch your kid doing drugs. Take these proactive steps:
A lingering perception of safety is a major driver of teen vaping. Research shows that teens who perceive vaping as low-risk are roughly seven to eight times more likely to try it. Talk to your kids about the risks from vaping and the dangers of doing drugs.
Wistocki is a big proponent of parents drug testing their teens. He says that not only does it tell you if your child is using drugs, it also serves as a deterrent. When his boys were young, Wistocki says drug testing them also gave them an out when they felt pressured to smoke weed. “[They could say] ‘Dude, I can’t. My parents drug test me.”
Intervening when a teen is caught with a nicotine vape is a vital way to interrupt the vape-to-drug pipeline. The diversion program Wistocki runs, Juvenile Justice Online, sends kids caught with vapes to their pediatrician for help tapering off nicotine. Kids also meet with an addiction counselor to understand the pathway to drugs and how to beat their nicotine addiction.
Juvenile Justice Online has parents install monitoring software on their child’s phone. But it’s best not to wait until there’s a known issue. BrightCanary monitors your child on every app and website, including hidden vaults and the dark web, and alerts you to any red flags such as vaping or drug references in their messages.
Vaping is often seen by teens as low risk, but poses a number of risks, including the potential to lead to drug use. Social media has made it easier than ever for teens to find and buy drugs. Monitor your teen’s phone for red flags, and take proactive steps like educating them about the risks.
Thousands of parents trust BrightCanary to monitor their children for drug use, alcohol, self-harm, and other red flags. For extra peace of mind, download BrightCanary today.
