Drug Deals on Social Media: What to Look Out For
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This app is listed in the SmartSocial.com Green Zone.
This app is not safe for students to use unsupervised, but a Green Zone app can serve a positive purpose to help a student to navigate social media and someday build an online brand. Read more below to find out why this app is in the Green Zone.
This app is listed in the SmartSocial.com Gray Zone.
Gray Zone apps often contain lots of private & disappearing messages, and strangers can use this to chat with students. Parents should participate in these apps with students to keep them safe. This zone can be a great place for family time since many of these apps can be entertaining, and let your students express themselves. Read more below to find out why this app is in the Gray Zone.
This app is listed in the SmartSocial.com Red Zone.
Red Zone apps often have lots of anonymous features, adult content, and easy contact with strangers. Supervision is strongly suggested on each of these apps or move your kids to a safer zone. All apps require parental supervision, these apps more than others. Read more below to find out why this app is in the Red Zone or view our list of 100+ Apps to find a safer app with your student.
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This trend is categorized as a Dangerous Social Media Challenge.
Viral challenges encourage students to do dangerous things to garner likes, views, attention, and subscribers. These challenges can be found across several social networks and may encourage students to perform dangerous activities. SmartSocial.com keeps parents updated on these social media challenges before an incident may occur in your community.
Table of Contents
Parents must know that drug dealers are using social media apps to find and connect with their “customers.” In the last year 50% of teenagers report they have misused a drug at least once (Source: National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics).
How can students help watch out for their friends and how can parents help talk with their students if they recognize any of the signs of potential drug use?
What parents & educators need to know (video)
Examples of drugs on social media



Watch the Bermans explain their family's tragedy:
“We all think Snapchat is the place for kids to do what they want to do because it’s sweet where other kids are. But the reason the kids are there is because of the functionality that allows things to be ‘secret’... and that means dangerous.”
How do online drug sales happen?

The Internet is probably the primary mechanism for drug dealers because using social media and smartphones to conduct business is far quicker and more efficient than methods of the past. The same privacy settings that are meant to protect users’ confidential information are also used by drug dealers to cover their tracks and render themselves invisible...
Dealers find ways around the rules
- Social media companies say drug deals are not allowed in their communities, but dealers still find ways around the rules
- Buyers and sellers often look for common hashtags and emojis to know who to connect with and then do so privately and on disappearing or multiple apps
- Social media sites often block, ban, or hide hashtags and emojis known to be connected to drug sales, but dealers still find ways to market their products and connect with users
View the SmartSocial.com Teen Slang, Emojis, & Hashtags Parents Need to Know (The Ultimate List) page for updates
Dealers use social media to look like “legitimate” businesses
The pop-culture blog, Complex, interviewed several drug dealers.

In the article, the dealers said they:
'I] post pictures and then decide who to serve based on customer behavior.' The dealers also said: ‘I try to appeal to pretty much anyone that ain’t too sketchy.’
Online predators also try to trick teens who may not be looking for drugs
- Predators can be tricky and work to build a “friendship” with students online. Then they may convincingly offer drugs that the student may not have been looking for
- Just like strangers in person on the street, we all have to be cautious about strangers we are also friending online
Illegal drugs often contain more than what the buyer thinks they are getting
Watch this news report from WFAA in Texas to hear what experts say illegal drugs likely contain and the consequences of those additives:
We have to look out for our friends
- Students, parents, and educators all have to work together to keep each other safe
- A “walk around the block for air” like Sammy said he was doing wasn’t the whole truth, but his friends had an idea of what he was doing
How do you know if your friend might be using drugs?
- Pay attention to the screenshots your friends send you. Are they trying to get you involved too?
- Some signs of drug use according to DrugFree.org:
- ~Shifts in mood & personality
- ~Sullen, withdrawn or depressed
- ~Deceitful or secretive
- ~Hyperactive or unusually elated
- ~Locks doors
- ~Disappears for long periods of time
- ~Goes out often
What can you do if someone you care about shows signs of drug use?
- The hardest step may be to remain calm. They won’t listen if they think you’re going to lose your temper or judge them
- Search resources online like drugfree.org or your school counselors for specific talking points and tips to confront someone
- Express how much you care about them no matter how much trouble they might be in
- Students: seek help from trusted adults if you think your friends are using drugs (even if it was just once, or they made you promise to not tell on them)
Conclusion
We all need to have an ongoing dialogue with our friends about our futures, so we know these platforms/apps should be used with a positive purpose. We have to always remember what to say YES and NO to in life.
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