How can media messages influence teen behavior regarding alcohol?

• A. They glamorize drinking, create social pressure to drink, and downplay risks.
• B. They always discourage drinking.
• C. They have no influence on teens.
• D. They educate about risks in all ads.

Answer: (A)

Media messages shape how teens view alcohol by shaping what seems normal, desirable, and acceptable. When drinking is shown as glamorous or tied to fun, popularity, or success, it can make teens want to try it or see it as a smart social move. Tracking with that, media often depicts a social scene where drinking is the norm, creating pressure to join in even if they wouldn’t otherwise. If risks are minimized or not shown, teens may underestimate harms and become more willing to experiment or drink more than they intend. This combination—glamorization, perceived social pressure, and downplayed risks—helps explain why media messages can influence teen behavior around alcohol.

Other patterns exist, but not all media messages discourage drinking or educate about risks in every ad, and some content can be neutral or misleading.