A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that social media engagement flips from hostility to solidarity after a major crisis, such as the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and Joe Biden's suspension of his re-election campaign. This 'ingroup love' effect is seen in Republican and Democrat posts expressing unity a...
Researchers found that ad hominem attacks are the most common way users confront perceived errors in comment sections, with a reliance on reputation-based insults. The study highlights the prevalence of this tactic and its implications for online discourse.
Researchers from the University of Bath and University of Hong Kong found that additive advice bias is common in conversations, social media, and AI chatbots. This bias can leave people feeling more overwhelmed than helped, with well-intentioned tips piling on extra tasks.
A new study published in JMIR Serious Games reveals that playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and watching Studio Ghibli films can significantly improve young people’s overall happiness and sense of purpose in life. The study found that immersing oneself in these activities can nurture essential human capacities, including e...
Researchers found that siblings, friends, and extended family play crucial roles in helping parents keep their children safe on online gaming platforms like Roblox and Minecraft. Online safety risks include scams, anti-social behavior, and adult roleplays.
Researchers developed an AI framework to map interactions between content and algorithms on digital platforms, reducing the spread of misinformation. The system would allow users and platform operators to pinpoint sources of potential misinformation and promote diverse information sources.
A study by Annenberg Public Policy Center found that firearm use in popular US movies increased by 200% from 2000 to 2021, mirroring the rise in firearm homicide rates among young people aged 15-24. The research suggests that portrayal of guns in entertainment may play a role in promoting their use for violent purposes.
A study analyzed 100 TikTok videos on contraceptive health, finding that over half rejected hormonal birth control and a third expressed distrust in health professionals. Fertility awareness and cycle tracking were the most frequently discussed subjects, often without disclosing limitations or promoting ineffective methods.
A new study by Yifan Yu found that certain emotions, like anxiety and love, can make online content spread rapidly, while others, such as anger or sadness, tend to slow it down. The research also showed that demographic groups react differently to different emotional content.
A national survey conducted by Washington State University researchers found that young men with a
A new study has found a strong correlation between the sentiment of Instagram images and user sentiments on social media, particularly for anti-war images. The research suggests that social media images can significantly influence public opinion on sociopolitical events, with notable effects observed in comments from users.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 30, 2025
A University of Kansas study found that people rate corporate crises messages written by humans as more credible and trustworthy, regardless of the approach taken. However, the approach itself didn't vary between participants who read human or AI-written content.
Research by Ohio State University professor Michelle Ann Abate argues that memes are a type of digital comic. Memes use similar visual and verbal elements to comics, producing humor through interplay between text and image. However, differences exist in layout and format, with memes often arranged vertically for online consumption.
A study using AI language models analyzed sentiments and emotions expressed by almost 400 pediatric patients on social media, finding that 94% of comments were negative, with sadness and fear prevalent. The study highlights the need for integrated care approaches to support vulnerable young patients managing complex medical conditions.
A new study from Uppsala University shows that short teaching interventions on disinformation have no long-term impact on students' ability to distinguish between credible and misleading news. However, students who valued democratic ideals highly were better at identifying true and false information. The study suggests that isolated le...
A new study analyzed 53 popular films and found that most depict idealized and aspirational views of puberty, romance, and relationships. This can lead to a disconnect between on-screen representations and real-life experiences, influencing how teens perceive themselves and their place in the world.
A new analysis reveals US media coverage of archaeology research prioritizes certain regions, such as the UK, Israel, and Australia, over others like China and Taiwan. The study's findings raise concerns about cultural affiliation and identity groups being excluded from mainstream narratives.
A recent study published in PLOS One found that emoji use in text messaging can enhance perceived responsiveness and lead to higher closeness and relationship satisfaction. The presence of emojis was more critical than their type, suggesting they serve as signals of attentiveness and emotional engagement.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that labels on news articles, such as 'most shared' versus 'most read', influence audience engagement. Respondents interpreted 'most read' stories as more informative, while 'most shared' articles were seen as less serious and more entertainment-based.
A new study published in JAMA found that youth who become increasingly addicted to social media, mobile phones, or video games are at greater risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The research suggests that limiting screen time may not be effective in reducing the risk of mental health problems.
A systematic review of 117 studies involving over 292,000 children worldwide found that excessive screen time is associated with socio-emotional problems like anxiety and aggression. Parents are advised to monitor their child's screen use and provide emotional support as needed.
A study by the SmartVote project reveals a growing social concern about information manipulation, with far-right parties being major sources of false content on social networks. The report highlights the need to improve media literacy to combat disinformation and its impact on democratic quality.
A recent UJI study reveals gender inequalities in the Spanish audiovisual sector, with only 35% of content created by women. The research also shows disparities in roles such as directors and photographers.
Russian leaders use museums and digital collections to portray Ukraine as inseparable from Russia, framing the invasion as a fight against Nazism and NATO. Researchers urge prioritizing non-Russian sources for balanced approaches.
Researchers developed an algorithm that achieves high levels of both accuracy and fairness in detecting toxic speech on social media. The approach uses a fairness measurement called Group Accuracy Parity (GAP) to find desirable combinations of accuracy and fairness for specific situations.
Researchers found that plain language summaries increase consumer trust by 2-5% and willingness to share personal info. However, companies should avoid using these summaries to hide malicious practices.
The study found that online headlines have become more emotionally dynamic and narrative-driven, appealing strongly to emotions, while also becoming more negative on average. This shift reflects the growing importance of headlines as a key element in digital competition for attention.
A new study from the University of Kansas analyzed how professional women soccer players in Europe use social media to promote their personal brand. The research found that when a player's team shared its social media presence with a men's team, it negatively affected women players' following.
Researchers at Michigan State University found a significant link between problematic social media use and the likelihood of believing fake news. Participants who displayed more symptoms of excessive social media use were more likely to engage with and trust false news.
Researchers found that individuals with excessive and dependent social media use are more likely to engage with and believe false information. The study suggests that social media addiction may lead to increased susceptibility to misinformation.
A study found that Reddit is being used by people with second thoughts to openly share and seek advice before getting married. Researchers discovered that users are more comfortable expressing their unease on the platform than with family or friends, sharing topics from major red flags to smaller frustrations.
A study by the University of Cambridge found that adolescents with mental health conditions spend an average of 50 minutes extra on social media each day compared to their peers. They also report higher levels of social comparison, mood changes due to online feedback, and lower self-control over time spent on platforms.
The book analyzes how streaming productions like Stranger Things engage audiences in online discussions, creating identification and community. Digital Film and Television Culture also explores critical fan culture on platforms like Letterboxd.
A study found that journalism engagement training reduced the prevalence of 'horse race' stories and boosted more substantive, community-oriented content. The training program, Democracy SOS, worked with journalists and news outlets across the country to promote solutions-focused coverage and increase transparency.
A new University of Georgia study found that using humor in science communication increases audiences' perception of researchers as trustworthy and credible. The study used satire and anthropomorphic humor to test the effects on likability and legitimacy, finding that humor can significantly increase engagement with the public.
A study by University of Cologne found that virtual reality videos increased feelings of being intensely involved in the narrative, leading to a stronger positive emotional affect and greater willingness to donate. This immersive experience was found to have a significant impact on personal attitudes and behavioral intentions.
A groundbreaking new study of young people's digital media use reveals evidence that smartphone ownership benefits children and links social media posting to negative outcomes. The Life in Media Survey will track digital media use and wellbeing across the lifespan.
A new study found that psychological booster shots, such as memory-enhancing exercises and follow-up reminders, can significantly enhance long-term resistance to misinformation. The interventions were effective in improving memory retention and helping individuals recognize and resist misleading information more effectively over time.
A report by UJI reveals a total increase of 6.04% in the media and telecommunications industry in Spain, while traditional media sectors have decreased. The study warns that market concentration remains high despite digital diversification, posing challenges for competition and media diversity.
A global survey of 13,500 people in six European countries and the USA reveals that a majority want harmful social media content restricted. The study highlights differences among countries, with some nations supporting stricter regulations than others.
A new study found that movie reviews with female- versus male-dominated casts contain more sexist language, with critics often perpetuating biases against women. The analysis of 17,165 reviews highlights the need for a more equitable film industry, where women are better represented in leading roles and receive fair criticism.
A recent study evaluating NewsGuard's media reliability rating service found no evidence of bias against conservative news outlets. The analysis of over 11,000 sources in nine countries revealed stable trustworthiness scores since 2022, with the US receiving lower ratings due to hyper-partisan sources lacking editorial practices.
The partnership between Farrar, Straus and Giroux and the Simons Foundation aims to publish books that illuminate and elucidate modern science's central questions and ideas. The first book, Kevin Hartnett's The Proof in the Code, explores the emergence of Lean, a computer program transforming math and human-computer collaboration.
A new study of 33 Marvel and DC films reveals that adverse childhood experiences (ACE) scores have no bearing on whether a character is a hero or villain. The research highlights the use of unconventional approaches to explore trauma and child development in popular media.
A study of British motherhood influencers found that 3 in 4 posts feature children, with half linked to sponsorship and financial gain. The researchers express strong trust in Instagram's safety features, suggesting a deliberate strategy rather than accidental sharing.
A study by Technical University of Munich finds that digital violence discourages political participation, particularly among women, who experience sexualized online attacks. The survey shows that more than half of those affected modify their behavior, including giving up on politics entirely.
The 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston will feature expert discussions on trust in science and science diplomacy. Researchers such as Holden Thorp and Ruth Morgan will examine how to demonstrate trustworthiness and put a new framework into practice.
A new study by Binghamton University explores how media companies publishing similar content in different news outlets can impact financial markets. Researchers found that business news outlets owned by the same holding company tend to produce more similar stories, reducing unique information and potentially affecting investor efficiency.
A study found that ChatGPT provides higher fatality numbers when asked in Arabic compared to questions in Hebrew, highlighting the impact of user language on information dissemination. The researchers believe this has profound social implications, as it can shape perceptions of conflict and fuel biases.
A new study found that local and non-Anglo artist representation in Australian charts has declined since the rise of digital streaming. Indigenous music from Australia and New Zealand saw a significant decline in singles chart share, from 16.6% to 2.5%, while albums chart share also decreased.
SourceDe Gruyter·JournalInternational Journal of Music Business Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 25, 2024
A recent study by UCL researchers reveals that people with poorer mental health are more prone to browsing negative content online, which further exacerbates their symptoms. The study found that adding 'content labels' to webpages can help users make healthier and more informed decisions about the content they consume.
Researchers analyzed 35 million news links on Facebook and found that around 75% were shared without clicking, with conservative content being shared more often. This suggests social media users tend to merely read headlines rather than engage with core content, contributing to the spread of misinformation.
Researchers found that podcasts significantly improved health knowledge, increased exercise levels, and boosted healthy eating habits. Engagement with health-related podcasts was generally high, suggesting they could be an effective medium for health information and behavior change interventions.
A new study from the University of Georgia analyzed Reddit posts in the self-harm subreddit and found that users often view self-injury as an addictive behavior. The researchers caution that online communities cannot replace face-to-face interactions and professional help for mental health support.
Research finds that Korean newspapers often focused on women learning Japanese for work and social purposes, not just reading novels. The ability to speak Japanese gave women new opportunities and challenged traditional roles in Korea.
A new study published in npj Complexity found that the 2020 U.S. election drew online hate communities closer together, inciting new hate content around immigration, ethnicity, and antisemitism. The research team developed an 'online telescope' to map the online hate universe at unprecedented scale and resolution.
A new study published in JCOM identified the characteristics of polarized scientific digital messages, proposing a system to codify and characterize polarized discourses. The research found that simplifying and presenting scientific information as unquestionable can limit critical thinking and hinder scientific progress.
Researchers at UC Berkeley found that humans create more diverse and nuanced stories than generative AI tools like ChatGPT. While AI shows improvement, it still struggles with complexity and clichés.
A new study by Penn State researchers suggests that making AI training data diversity information available can shape users' expectations of algorithmic fairness and trust. Displaying racial diversity cues in AI interfaces can enhance users' perceptions of algorithmic fairness and trust, according to the study's findings.
A new study from the University of Illinois looks at how wetlands are portrayed in film, suggesting they play specific roles in story development and reflect society's attitudes towards these ecosystems. The research team analyzed 163 films and found that wetlands were often depicted as perilous pathways and psychological barriers, but...