What App? Demographic and Drug Use Predictors of Buying Drugs via Different Social Media and Messaging Apps
Date
Authors
van der Sanden, R
Wilkins, C
Parker, K
Rychert, M
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Abstract
Introduction: Improving our understanding of how demographic and drug use factors shape social media drug market engagement is integral to targeting harm reduction and prevention responses to high-risk drug use and digital harm. Aim To identify demographics and drug use patterns that correlate with using specific social media platforms to purchase drugs. Methods: An anonymous online survey of New Zealanders who use drugs (N = 10,781) was used to explore social media drug purchasing. Logistic regression models were fitted to identify demographic and drug use correlates of using Facebook/Messenger, Snapchat, Instagram or high security apps (Telegram, Signal, Wickr) to purchase drugs. Results: Sixteen percent reported purchasing drugs via social media (n = 1731). Facebook/Messenger was most used (54.2 %), followed by Snapchat (47.5), Instagram (24.7) and high security apps (17.6). Respondents aged under 30 were more likely to report using Snapchat and less likely to report using Facebook/Messenger or high security apps. Snapchat purchasers were more likely to be Asian, students, use MDMA/ecstasy and cocaine, and purchase via “friends/family”. High security app purchasers were more likely to identify as male, reside in urban areas, use methamphetamine, psychedelics and cocaine, and purchase from a “drug dealer”. Facebook/Messenger purchasers were more likely to report a low income, reside in small town/rural area; and purchase from “gang members”, “drug dealers” and “friends/family”. Instagram purchasers were more likely to report cocaine use and purchasing from “friends/family”. Conclusions: Use of social media apps for drug buying are influenced by demographics (mainly age), drug market contexts, and drug type used.Description
Keywords
Hybrid drug markets, Social media-facilitated drug purchasing, Social supply, Youth drug use, 4407 Policy and Administration, 4206 Public Health, 42 Health Sciences, 44 Human Society, Behavioral and Social Science, Cocaine, Substance Misuse, Drug Abuse (NIDA only), Stimulant Use and Misuse, 3 Good Health and Well Being, 11 Medical and Health Sciences, 16 Studies in Human Society, 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Substance Abuse, 4206 Public health, 4407 Policy and administration
Source
International Journal of Drug Policy, ISSN: 0955-3959 (Print); 1873-4758 (Online), Elsevier BV, 151, 105220-. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105220
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© 2026 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons CC-BY license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. You are not required to obtain permission to reuse this article.