Instagram game aims to curb college binge drinking

NCT ID NCT06576011

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested a gamified social media campaign called "2 College Truths and 1 Lie" to reduce drinking among first-year college students. The campaign uses Instagram ads to correct overestimates of how much peers drink, which can influence personal drinking. 392 students were randomly assigned to play the game, see a static ad, or receive no intervention, and their drinking was tracked over 9 months.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Gamified social norms marketing campaign delivered via Instagram

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a low-cost, scalable way to prevent risky drinking among new college students.

What could go wrong

This is a small pilot study with 392 students at one university, so results may not apply elsewhere. The effect may be modest or short-lived.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Underage Drinking

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Loyola Marymount University

    Los Angeles, California, 90045, United States