Snapchat's AI Chatbot Provided Favorable, Uncited Information About Delta-8 THC to Users
Despite claiming to block drug-related content, Snapchat's AI chatbot freely answered questions about Delta-8 THC, portraying it favorably with purported benefits and low risks, without citing any scientific evidence.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Snapchat AI provided information about Delta-8 THC across five themes: general information (comparing it to Delta-9 but with lower potency), use motives (pain relief, anti-nausea, appetite, anxiety), potential consequences (mild side effects), retail availability, and product recommendations. No citations were provided. While "weed" and "THC" were blocked as search terms, "Delta-8" was not.
Key Numbers
Five thematic categories identified. Zero citations provided by the AI. "Delta-8" was not blocked while "weed" and "THC" were. The AI actively prompted follow-up questions, driving deeper engagement with the topic.
How They Did This
Qualitative analysis of Snapchat AI chatbot responses to Delta-8 THC questions (August 2024-January 2025). Researchers asked questions as users would, and AI responses were independently coded into thematic categories.
Why This Research Matters
Snapchat is one of the most popular platforms among teens and young adults. Its AI chatbot is automatically available on all accounts and functions as an easily accessible information source that may shape cannabis perceptions without scientific backing.
The Bigger Picture
As AI chatbots become embedded in social media, they represent a new and largely unregulated channel for health misinformation. Youth may trust AI-generated responses about substances without recognizing the lack of scientific evidence behind claims.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Qualitative design without quantitative measures of impact on users. Responses may vary based on prompting style. Snapchat AI may update its responses over time. Does not measure how many youth actually ask about Delta-8.
Questions This Raises
- ?Should social media platforms be required to block AI responses about unregulated substances?
- ?Do youth distinguish between AI-generated and evidence-based health information?
- ?How quickly can platform policies adapt to emerging substance trends?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Snapchat AI provided Delta-8 information with zero scientific citations while blocking "weed" and "THC"
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary: qualitative analysis of AI chatbot responses at a single time point without measuring actual impact on user behavior.
- Study Age:
- 2025 study (data collected August 2024-January 2025).
- Original Title:
- Snapchat Artificial Intelligence as an Information Source on Delta-8 THC.
- Published In:
- The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 77(5), 931-937 (2025)
- Authors:
- LoParco, Cassidy R(26), Tillett, Kayla K(5), Bektaş, Ayyüce Begüm, Rossheim, Matthew E, Berg, Carla J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06977
Evidence Hierarchy
Uses interviews or focus groups to understand experiences in depth.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does Snapchat block drug information?
It blocks some terms like "weed" and "THC" but not "Delta-8." The inconsistency means users can easily access information about unregulated cannabis products.
Is the information Snapchat AI provides accurate?
The AI portrayed Delta-8 favorably with purported benefits and low risks but provided no citations. Some claims lacked scientific support, raising concerns about misinformation.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06977APA
LoParco, Cassidy R; Tillett, Kayla K; Bektaş, Ayyüce Begüm; Rossheim, Matthew E; Berg, Carla J. (2025). Snapchat Artificial Intelligence as an Information Source on Delta-8 THC.. The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 77(5), 931-937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2025.06.036
MLA
LoParco, Cassidy R, et al. "Snapchat Artificial Intelligence as an Information Source on Delta-8 THC.." The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2025.06.036
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Snapchat Artificial Intelligence as an Information Source on..." RTHC-06977. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/loparco-2025-snapchat-artificial-intelligence-as
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.