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Researchers Using Facebook To Identify Problem Drinkers

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Those pictures on Facebook could be providing a window into people's lives. Images that are put on Facebook can be screened by companies, colleges and others to evaluate the behavior of those in the Facebook pictures.

According to a new report in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, it's possible that Facebook could be used to help detect problem drinking in college students. It looked at 216 students at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. They had them fill out a survey and among the questions were questions related to their drinking.

Of the people who answered the questions, 35% of the participants were identified as "at risk" for problem drinking. Nearly 60% of those who were considered at risk had Facebook profiles that displayed drunken photos of themselves.

Reported by Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio 1060

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