Video: Two-Thirds of Teens Have Made Bad Decisions Linked to Underage
Drinking; Girls More Likely to Suffer Related Social Consequences
New, teen-directed initiative highlights the social stigmas of drinking most
feared by teenagers
WASHINGTON, April 9, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ninety-seven percent of
American teen girls (ages 15-17) agree that underage drinking is not worth the
adverse consequences it can cause. Yet two-thirds (68%) of American teens
(boys and girls) admit they -- or someone they know -- have made regrettable
decisions linked to drinking, according to a new survey from The Century
Council, a Washington-based group which fights unlawful underage drinking. The
nationwide survey, conducted by KRC Research, examined a wide range of
attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of 500 boys and girls ages 12-17.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/centurycouncil/31990/
The social and physical risks of underage drinking revealed in the survey are
reflected in an innovative, teen-directed public service announcement (PSA)
titled "What You Don't Know." The unique PSA concept -- recently selected by
representatives of MTV, the Ad Council and 20,000 online voters -- aims to
deter teens from underage drinking.
Other key survey findings include:
Gender Matters:
-- Teen boys (67%) and girls (76%) believe that girls have "more to lose"
when under the influence of alcohol.
-- More boys are most concerned with not being able to participate in school
sports or clubs as a result of drinking (15%) compared to girls (4%). Eleven
percent of older teen boys and girls (15-17) are most concerned about not
being able to attend once in a lifetime events such as prom or graduation.
Teens Admit to Bad Decisions, Recognize Risks:
-- Nine in ten (90%) don't think drinking is worth the negative consequences,
with older teen girls (15-17) agreeing the most (97% vs. 89% for 12-14 year
olds).
-- Forty-five percent say they -- or someone they know -- have said things to
friends they regret and four in ten (40%) say they -- or someone they know --
have gotten into a fight while drinking.
-- Older teens (15-17) are more likely than younger teens (12-14) to say they
-- or someone they know -- have made at least one bad decision as a result of
drinking -- 72% vs. 60%.
-- One fourth of teens (26%) admit they -- or someone they know -- have
ridden in a car with a driver who has been drinking, and 21% admit they -- or
someone they know -- have driven under the influence. Not surprisingly, older
teens are more likely to say they -- or someone they know -- have engaged in
these behaviors.
"Of course underage drinking is illegal and can lead to tragedies like car
crashes and deaths, but the negative social consequences are much more
prevalent," said Kylee Darcy, a freshman at the University of California at
Berkeley and winner of The Century Council's "Reel Girls, Real Life" contest,
which generated the new PSA. "I hope my commercial will make teen girls think
twice about all of the dangers of underage drinking."
The Council's "Reel Girls, Real Life" contest encouraged girls nationwide to
submit concepts for television PSAs to dissuade peers from drinking. Darcy was
awarded $5,000 and the opportunity to shoot her PSA with industry pros. Her
prize also put her in the position to positively influence other teens.
Darcy's PSA features two teen girls, "Kristen" and "Sarah," who are shocked to
discover that a video of "Sarah" drinking at a party surfaced on a social
networking web site. Viewers are instructed to visit www.alot2lose.com to find
out what happens next. In three short videos posted on the site, the girls
explain that they felt "Alone," were "Benched" and got "Busted." Alot2lose.com
also features behind-the-scenes footage of Darcy's PSA shoot.
The PSA contest was part of The Century Council's public education initiative,
Girl Talk: Choices and Consequences of Underage Drinking, which alerts teen
girls to the unique social and physical risks of drinking for their
demographic through presentations and an interactive Web site, www.grltlk.org.
"The Century Council gives young women a voice in curbing illegal underage
drinking and promoting healthy lifestyles," said Council Chairman, Susan
Molinari. "We hope that this PSA and the findings of our survey which both
highlight the dangers of drinking teen girls often overlook, will inform her
peers."
About The Century Council
The Century Council's mission is to promote responsible decision-making
regarding drinking or non-drinking of beverage alcohol and to discourage all
forms of irresponsible consumption through education, communications,
research, law enforcement and other programs. Recognizing fifteen years of
progress, America's leading distillers have promoted The Council's mission by
investing over $175 million in its programs to fight drunk driving and
underage drinking. For more information about Girl Talk or The Century
Council, please visit www.grltlk.org or www.centurycouncil.org.
Survey Methodology
KRC Research conducted the telephone survey among a national sample of 500
teens comprising 250 males and 250 females 12 to 17 years of age, living in
private households in the continental United States. Interviewing was
completed during the period February 21-24, 2008. The estimated margin of
error for the study is ±4.4% for all teens and 6.2% for each gender at 95%
confidence level.
SOURCE The Century Council
Ernestine Sclafani, +1-212-445-8075, esclafani@webershandwick.com, for The
Century Council
