Texts tackle risky drinking among students

Researchers are embarking upon a study to see if an SMS texting service could help curb ‘risky drinking’ in young people – particularly university students.

Texts will be used to try and prevent university students from engaging in risky drinking

The team of researchers from Victoria University, Australia, has adapted a service developed by Burnet Institute that texts students in a bid to curb harmful drinking habits.

Part of a two-year pilot scheme by VicHealth, the texts will target students at four residential colleges at Melbourne University before, during and after drinking sessions.

The research stems from Burnet’s ongoing ‘Mobile Intervention for Drinking in Young People’ (MIDY) study, in which SMS questionnaires track participants’ consumption, spending, location and mood, and invite them to relate their plans, priorities and any adverse events accordingly.

This results in tailored feedback relating to the individual’s drinking via SMS after each questionnaire. Victoria University singled out tertiary students living in residential colleges as being particularly at risk.

Dr Megan Lim, Burnet deputy programme director, behaviours and health risks, said the text service has the potential to instil better drinking habits in young people.

“Binge drinking is part of university culture, so it has become the norm, and research from New Zealand shows that ‘O’ week sets them up for the rest of the year in terms of their drinking habits,” Lim added.

“This system isn’t telling people not to drink, but providing an option for them to manage their own drinking, or pace their drinking so they can have fun or not ruin the night by peaking too early, or make sure they don’t drink and drive.”