Fentanyl overdoses have become a leading cause of death for minors in the last five years, even as overall drug use has dropped slightly. In a 2022 analysis of fentanyl-laced prescription pills, the Drug Enforcement Administration found that six out of 10 overdoses involved a potentially lethal dose of the drug. Social media, where tainted, fake prescription drugs can be obtained with just a few clicks, is a big part of the problem, The Associated Press reports. Experts, law enforcement and children’s advocates say companies like Snap, TikTok, Telegram and Meta Platforms, which owns Instagram, are not doing enough to keep children safe. The stories of these victims often play out similarly: The kids hear you can get pills on social media. A few taps later, a package arrives. They retreat to the sanctity of their bedroom and take a pill. Fifteen minutes later, they’re dead. No one even knows until the next morning.
The National Crime Prevention Council estimates that 80% of teen and young adult fentanyl poisoning deaths can be traced to some social media contact. In a 2023 report on the problem, Colorado’s attorney general called the availability of fentanyl and other illicit substances online “staggering.” A decade ago, people looking to buy illicit drugs online would visit the dark web. This was quickly eclipsed by social media and messaging platforms’ rise. Using popular social media sites, encrypted chats, legitimate payment and shipping services, dealers moved into the field. Social platforms say they are constantly working to address the issue, while law enforcement has made some inroads. Last May, the DEA’s “Operation Last Mile,” targeting Mexico’s Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels, led to 3,337 arrests and the seizure of nearly 44 million fentanyl pills and other deadly drugs. Advocates hope that regulation of tech companies could help address the problem, as it might help with other dangers kids face on social media.
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