Abstract
BackgroundSmartphone applications (“apps”) offer a number of possibilities for health promotion activities. However, young people may also be exposed to apps with incorrect or poor quality information, since, like the Internet, apps are mostly unregulated. Little is known about the quality of alcohol-related apps or what influence they may have on young people’s behavior.ObjectiveTo critically review popular alcohol-related smartphone apps and to explore young people’s opinions of these apps, their acceptability, and use for alcohol-related health promotion.MethodsFirst, a content analysis of 500 smartphone apps available via Apple iTunes and Android Google Play stores was conducted. Second, all available blood alcohol concentration (BAC) apps were tested against four individual case profiles of known BAC from a previous study. Third, two focus group discussions explored how young people use alcohol-related apps, particularly BAC apps.Results384 apps were included; 50% (192) were entertainment apps, 39% (148) were BAC apps, and 11% (44) were health promotion and/or stop drinking–related apps. When testing the BAC apps, there was wide variation in results, with apps tending to overestimate BAC scores compared with recorded scores. Participants were skeptical of the accuracy of BAC apps, and there was an overall concern that these apps would be used as a form of entertainment, further encouraging young people to drink, rather than reduce their drinking and risk taking.ConclusionsThe majority of popular alcohol-related apps encouraged alcohol consumption. Apps estimating blood alcohol concentration were widely available but were highly unreliable. Health departments and prominent health organizations need to endorse alcohol smartphone apps that are accurate and evidence-based to give specific apps credibility in the ever-expanding market of unregulated apps.
Highlights
Excessive alcohol use is a major public health problem that stems partly from a social and cultural acceptance of alcohol consumption [1] despite the harms of excessive drinking being widely understood [2]
When testing the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) apps, there was wide variation in results, with apps tending to overestimate BAC scores compared with recorded scores
Participants were skeptical of the accuracy of BAC apps, and there was an overall concern that these apps would be used as a form of entertainment, further encouraging young people to drink, rather than reduce their drinking and risk taking
Summary
Excessive alcohol use is a major public health problem that stems partly from a social and cultural acceptance of alcohol consumption [1] despite the harms of excessive drinking being widely understood [2]. Social acceptability is exacerbated by the prevalence of alcohol marketing and promotion; young people are vulnerable to regular exposure to alcohol marketing through the mass media [3]. 1 | e9 | p.1 (page number not for citation purposes) advertisement, such as television and print, alcohol is increasingly being promoted through digital platforms such as social media (eg, Facebook, Twitter) [3]. Young people are prolific users of digital technologies [7]. Smartphones have revolutionized mobile communication technology by offering users Internet access and computerized functions on their mobile phones. Smartphone applications (“apps”) offer a number of possibilities for health promotion activities. Young people may be exposed to apps with incorrect or poor quality information, since, like the Internet, apps are mostly unregulated. Little is known about the quality of alcohol-related apps or what influence they may have on young people’s behavior
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