DrinkWise campaign advises young Victorians to party in moderation to avoid social media humiliation

Statues will be scattered across Melbourne from today to remind Victorians indulging this festive season how their boozy behaviour can live beyond their hangovers. You will need a phone to see them, but here’s a sneak peek.

Victorians indulging this festive season are being reminded their drunken antics could live beyond their hangovers in the social media era.

The Internet Remembers campaign, to be launched today by DrinkWise, highlights the embarrassing and dangerous things people get up to under the influence with augmented reality displays across Melbourne.

When a phone is held up against a display, a reveller’s worst moment appears on the screen.

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The purpose of the technological push is to highlight the effect getting drunk and making poor decisions can have on someone’s reputation and to encourage moderation.

“This campaign is a reminder that drinking to excess could lead to something that will haunt you forever on social media,” DrinkWise chief executive Simon Strahan said.

“We want to emphasise to them, by moderating they can avoid those silly moments.

“It’s about young adults thinking about the way they are drinking.”

The “Anna’s Xmas Party Projectile” augmented reality statue from the Drinkwise campaign. Picture: Supplied

A study by DrinkWise of Australians aged 18-24 found almost half were drinking until they were drunk.

A similar amount of participants also reported doing things they regretted when drinking including making fools of themselves, vomiting, and texting or posting on social media while drunk.

While the numbers show there is still a long way to go, young Victorians stack up well against those in other states.

The “Pete’s Pisshead-ery” augmented reality statue from the Drinkwise campaign. Picture: Supplied

They are the least likely group to drink to excess when compared to young people across the rest of Australia.

Young Victorians are also the most concerned about the making a fool of themselves when drinking.

Brighton 24-year-old Gianni Zagame-Romas and his friends go out with the intention of drinking in moderation.

The “Eddie’s Night-Ender” augmented reality statue from the Drinkwise campaign. Picture: Supplied

They fear what might end up on the internet if the night takes a turn.

“I know first-hand the consequences of having that bit too much and those things that end up on social media,” he said.

“We always go out with intention with drinking and staying classy but there are those nights where you go one or two drinks too far.

“People’s perception of you might change if they see something on the internet.”

The “Josh’s Porcelain Kiss” augmented reality statue from the Drinkwise campaign. Picture: Supplied

The Internet Remembers statues will be scattered across Melbourne for the next three days, from 4pm to 8pm.

Today they will be on Southbank and at Federation Square. On Friday and Saturday they will be at St Kilda’s Acland St and Federation Square.

For more information about campaign visit the DrinkWise website.

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