A new survey found that teens who regularly use Facebook and other social media are more likely to drink, smoke and do drugs than their counterparts who stay away from social networks.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University in New York concluded that teens on social networks are more likely to see their peers drinking and using drugs, which might lead them to believe that substance abuse is a normal, acceptable activity. Which it is, but only once they turn 21.

Compared to teens who avoid social networking sites, kids who frequent social networks are twice as likely to use marijuana, three times more likely to drink and five times more likely to use tobacco, which basically means they are a bit more fun to be around.

However, researchers make it very clear that social media does not cause such behavior, but that it might be an indicator for parents. A funnel or a bong in one’s private photos seems to be a dead giveaway. On a more serious note, several studies suggest that social networks tend to create a new form of peer pressure, tempting teens to emulate risky behavior.

"The Internet puts it in your head," said Dana Cichon, 16, a junior at Bartlett High School. "You think everyone else is having more fun than you."

Well, so did MTV back in the eighties and we turned out just fine. Oh, wait…

More here.