The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University uncovered a link between social networks and drug, tobacco and alcohol usage. The center surveyed teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 and found the majority, 70 percent, of those who checked their Facebook or Myspace daily were more likely to try and even abuse these substances.

The study revealed that these adolescents were five times more likely to try tobacco, three times more likely to try alcohol and twice as likely to try marijuana than their non-avid using counterparts.

“We’re not saying (social media) causes it,” Joseph Califano said, the center’s chairman. “But we are saying that this is a characteristic that should signal to (parents) that, well, you ought to be watching.”

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YouTube is an integral part of entertainment and education. It’s a fabulous concept, really: average people taking moments out of their lives to tutor the masses and make others laugh. From makeup tutorials, to business promotion to hilarious home videos, there’s something on YouTube for everyone.

Do you feel like you have something to add to the world of viral entertainment? Well, so does everybody else. If your intent is to post a video or two for your friends and family to enjoy, then none of this information applies to you. Aunt June will love the video of Baby Tommy sneaking treats out of Rover’s bowl, regardless of how you approach it.  On the other hand, if you wish to get hundreds, thousands or millions of views, then you might want to start paying attention. Why do some videos ‘go viral’ and others barely get any exposure at all? Read the rest of this entry »