Alcohol companies use social media to target young drinkers

Alcohol companies are increasingly using the latest new media technologies — including cellphones, social networking sites, YouTube and other features of the expanding digital universe — to reach young drinkers, a new report contends. And existing regulations may not be keeping up with the marketing trend, the report’s authors from American University and the Center for Digital Democracy added. They’re calling on the Federal Trade Commission, state attorney generals and others to investigate the phenomenon and examine whether current mechanisms to protect youth from alcohol marketing still work effectively in the digital era. Read more in USA TODAY.