Abstract
Background: Although research has been done on considering YouTube for dissuading and encouraging unhealthy behaviours such as smoking, less focus has been placed on its role in quitting or cutting down alcohol. This study aims to analyse the alcohol cessation videos available and accessible on YouTube to gain a more in-depth insight into the ways that YouTube as a platform is being used to persuade with relation to alcohol cessation.Methods: We systematically searched for content on YouTube related to alcohol cessation and these videos were analysed and evaluated for the format, themes, specific alcohol cessation advice, and uploader.Results: The results demonstrated that the collected alcohol cessation videos included a fairly even presence of the themes of discussing the negative impacts of alcohol and the benefits of quitting or staying away from it. At the same time, however, we found the videos were not sourced from professional institutions, such as government or anti-alcohol misuse non-government organisations.Conclusion: More research is needed to investigate utilising YouTube to support those looking to quit or cut down alcohol.
Highlights
Drinking-related incidents and illnesses are on the rise all over the world [1]
YouTube and Alcohol Cessation reasoned that even in a setting like YouTube where interaction is limited to the user comments section, a self-help system may provide meaningful support to those who struggle with alcohol use
The aim of the study is to analyse and categorise the types of alcohol cessation videos available and accessible on the YouTube to gain a more in-depth insight into the ways that YouTube as a platform is being used to persuade with relation to alcohol cessation
Summary
Drinking-related incidents and illnesses are on the rise all over the world [1]. Social problems such as violence, family breakdown and child abuse and neglect as the consequences of alcohol misuse remain a serious problem [1]. There is already evidence to suggest that even in a self-help format, un-guided by human interaction; technology can be used to some degree to deliver meaningful interventions into unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, even alcohol addiction [7, 8]. It can be YouTube and Alcohol Cessation reasoned that even in a setting like YouTube where interaction is limited to the user comments section, a self-help system may provide meaningful support to those who struggle with alcohol use. This study aims to analyse the alcohol cessation videos available and accessible on YouTube to gain a more in-depth insight into the ways that YouTube as a platform is being used to persuade with relation to alcohol cessation
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