Mobile Application for Drug Abuse Prevention among Teenagers: Effectiveness in Bandung City
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58812/wsis.v3i04.1818Keywords:
Drug Abuse Prevention, Mobile Application, Teenagers, Bandung CityAbstract
This study explores the effectiveness of a mobile application designed to prevent drug abuse among teenagers in Bandung City using a qualitative approach. The research involved five teenage informants aged 15–18 years who had used the application for at least one month. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that the application significantly increased awareness about the dangers of drug use, improved self-confidence in resisting peer pressure, and encouraged the sharing of knowledge within peer groups. Additionally, the app’s interactive and gamified features contributed to a positive learning experience. However, suggestions for improvement included the need for real-time support and more localized content. Overall, the study highlights the potential of mobile technology as an innovative tool in youth-focused drug abuse prevention efforts, especially when designed with user engagement and cultural relevance in mind.
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