Articles tagged with Social Media
A new study finds that personal attacks in politics are strongly associated with greater media coverage, but show no correlation with fundraising or policy success. Researchers discovered an asymmetric pattern of conflict entrepreneurs, who use antagonistic rhetoric to gain media attention and become 'media celebrities'.
A systematic review of social media platforms reveals that TikTok contains a substantial proportion of misleading information about mental health and neurodivergence, with higher rates of misinformation than other platforms. The study emphasizes the importance of credible sources and evidence-based content to combat spreading false ide...
A crisis communication study reveals Ticketmaster's inadequate response to technical failures and public backlash, leading to a political scandal and antitrust lawsuit. The company's lack of transparency, avoidance of responsibility, and failure to issue a full apology further damaged its reputation.
A study found that college students with lower self-control and habitual use of short-form videos experience poorer sleep health and higher stress, but not diminished academic performance. Researchers suggest that institutions of higher learning and society can help by providing holistic mental health and student health outreach services.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found consistent associations between digital media use and risks to child health and development, particularly social media use. The study highlights the need for multifaceted policies and interventions to mitigate potential harms from digital media exposure.
A new interactive tool, Safety Map, has been launched to address safety concerns on dating apps, with over 48 in-depth interviews conducted across Canada. The map curates safety information from 30 different dating apps, providing users with practical and accessible knowledge.
A study published in PLOS One found that individuals experience a more negative reaction to the time change from daylight saving time (DST) to standard time (ST) in the fall, compared to the transition from ST to DST in the spring. Social media sentiment analysis revealed a depressive impact in early fall.
A recent study found that AI programs are up to 97% accurate at detecting pictures of deepfake faces, but performed at chance levels when it comes to detecting deepfake videos. Humans correctly identified real and fake videos about two-thirds of the time, picking up on subtle inconsistencies in movement and facial expressions. The stud...
A groundbreaking longitudinal study reveals that peer influence is specialized, with best friends primarily shaping internal emotional states and academic behaviors, while popular peers set the standard for public image and social media engagement. The findings suggest that adolescents use different mental calculations to navigate thei...
A study found insufficient sleep among US adolescents, with trends suggesting environmental and structural factors are driving the issue, rather than specific behaviors. The findings highlight the need for population-level interventions to address widespread sleep loss.
New study exposes biased social media curation and systemic discrimination against Dalits in India. The research highlights how digital platforms shape, limit, and sometimes erase the histories and experiences of groups already facing discrimination offline.
An online experiment with 1,051 US adults suggests flagging potentially false cancer treatment claims on social media can help reduce the spread of misinformation. The study found that intervening and reducing sharing of false information on social media may have a positive impact on public health.
A new study finds that influencer culture affects girls' self-perception, with many recognizing the inauthenticity of online content yet still feeling pressured to conform. Researchers suggest that shifting attention away from individual girls and onto the culture that profits from their insecurity is key to change.
Exposure to alcohol-related social media content is associated with increased desire to drink among young adults, regardless of prior alcohol use. Social media influencers may contribute to normalization of alcohol consumption among this age group.
A new study found that Black young adults experiencing high levels of online racism are more likely to use digital mental health tools. The research also showed that these individuals were more likely to engage in online mental health communication, regardless of their anxiety or depression symptoms.
A study from Rutgers University suggests that exposure to alcohol in social media drives the desire to drink. Young adults who viewed influencer posts with alcohol were significantly more likely to report increased desire to drink compared to those who watched similar posts without alcohol.
A new study found that social media use, particularly exposure to muscularity-focused content and body comparisons, is strongly associated with increased intentions to use anabolic-androgenic steroids. Young men who frequently view muscular bodies or advertisements promoting muscle-building supplements also report stronger intentions.
A new study shows that geotagged social media photos can improve biodiversity datasets by 35% and provide more accurate species distribution models. The enhanced models reveal range expansions in areas missed by traditional records, particularly in regions with sparse formal monitoring.
A Stanford University study reveals that brain activity can forecast which wildlife images inspire people to engage online and donate to conservation causes. Socioemotional features, such as visible faces or cues encouraging emotional connections, play a key role in driving engagement.
A national US study of tens of thousands of college students found that excessive social media use is linked to higher odds of loneliness. Students who spent 16 hours or more on social media per week were 38% more likely to feel isolated.
Research found problematic screen use in early adolescence strongly linked to higher risks of mental health problems, sleep disturbance, and suicidal behaviors. The study emphasizes the importance of reducing addictive features on digital platforms and families taking steps to mitigate its impact.
A new study from the University of Rochester found that social media algorithms can reinforce echo chambers, but introducing randomness can help reduce this effect. By exposing users to a broader range of perspectives, algorithms can weaken feedback loops and promote more open-minded views.
A new study has identified the power of influencer marketing in overcoming psychological resistance to recycling tap water. The research found that sensory and emotional content on Instagram is more effective than rational arguments in encouraging sustainable consumption, making recycled tap water more appealing through mental imagery.
A new study found that social media influencers are promoting unproven claims about low testosterone in young men, framing common experiences as hormonal deficiencies. The content is linked to the manosphere, encouraging hyper-masculine ideals and positioning testosterone as a way for men to reclaim power and status.
A study by Harvard Medical School and the University of Texas at Arlington found that parents seeking advice on substance use from online peers can be misled by misconceptions. The research suggests that while social media offers a unique window into parental concerns, it should complement evidence-based guidance rather than replace it.
A study by UC Riverside found that Black and Latino teens are more adept at detecting online disinformation, particularly related to race and ethnicity. These teens are quicker to identify false claims and respond with corrective content, often driven by their lived experiences navigating online racism.
A study found that TikTok influences dietary habits by leveraging algorithmic mechanisms, entertainment content, and users' emotional connections. The platform affects food preferences, dining choices, and recipe evaluations among young people.
Research reveals leading US tobacco brands violate Instagram, FTC, and FDA marketing policies to restrict young people's access. Lax/missing age verification, disclosure on brand-influencer relationships, and health warnings are common violations.
Researchers found that complexity, including ground truth, real-world complexity, and stakeholder involvement, are key factors in reducing AI biases. By accounting for these complexities, developers can create more fair AI models.
The updated edition provides a comprehensive overview of major mental health conditions that emerge during adolescence, discussing treatment strategies and prevention methods. The book emphasizes the importance of addressing stigma, promoting evidence-based treatments, and integrating positive youth development into policy agendas.
A new study finds that short-term digital disconnection improves well-being, with participants reporting more positive effects and feeling more energetic. However, these changes are relatively small and tend to dissipate after two to three hours.
Researchers found that people living in areas connected to those most affected by the AP's ban on labeling people held less restrictive immigration policy preferences. Media language plays a significant role in shaping political attitudes and can extend to individuals' social networks.
A study from the University of Kansas found that the kidnapping of Luis Manuel Díaz, father of Colombian soccer star Luis “Lucho” Díaz, resulted in coverage that portrayed his son as a national hero and cast doubt on peace negotiations. The media framing of the story had broader implications for the Total Peace initiative and the Petro...
A new study by Binghamton University Professor Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm found that social media hashtags can help identify early warning signs of violence and amplify local voices. The research examined social media campaigns in Canada and Syria, analyzing over 5,000 posts tied to #TruthAndReconciliation and #SaveSyria.
A new study by ESMT Berlin shows that entrepreneurs can increase support from the silent majority by broadening their public replies to vocal commenters. By managing conversational pathways, founders can create multiple entry points without fragmenting the main story.
A cohort study of students in grades 4-12 found that social media use varied by age and sex, with heavy use linked to poorer well-being. The study's findings suggest that abstinence from social media may not always be beneficial for adolescents.
A new study from Aalto University found that online shopping is more strongly linked to stress than reading news or watching adult entertainment. Social media use and gaming also correlated with increased stress levels, while time spent on news sites reported lower stress levels.
Researchers at the University of Michigan analyzed nearly 200,000 Twitter posts between 2012 and 2022 to understand why people perceive pollen seasons as getting worse. They found a partisan gap in how liberals and conservatives attribute pollen season changes to climate change.
A recent study by Professor Damon Centola and alum Douglas Guilbeault found that content moderators who worked in teams reached near-perfect agreement on classifying controversial material online. In contrast, individual participants showed only 38% agreement, with Democrats and Republicans agreeing on classifications for only about 30...
A recent SFU study found one in four B.C. teens experience disordered eating, with higher rates among LGBTQ+ youth and those exposed to influencer-driven misinformation on social media. Reducing social media time and promoting digital literacy are key strategies to mitigate this 'shadow pandemic'.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that US Congress members' social media responses to mass shootings vary along party lines. Democratic congressmembers are more likely to post about guns, framing their responses in terms of community, victims, and legislature, whereas Republican members focus on Second Amendment righ...
The journal has integrated ResearchGate to improve accessibility and impact of research on aging. This allows authors to connect their work with a wider network of peers, fostering collaboration and advancing understanding of the biology of aging.
A new study from the University of East Anglia finds that AI tools excel at speed and clarity, but human translators remain crucial for tone, cultural nuance, and natural sound. Generative AI can handle parts of video translation, but consumers still notice when something feels off.
A recent study found that Americans overestimate online toxicity, with participants believing 43% of Reddit users post toxic comments when only 3% actually do. Correcting this misperception improves social cohesion by reducing pessimism and increasing positivity.
A new study found that highly educated, Western European millennials have the most digital concerns, with individuals having higher levels of digital literacy being the most affected. The research also found that people's perceptions of digital harm are heightened by their level of digital exposure and knowledge.
A new analysis using COTSI data reveals that verifying fake accounts for use in the US and UK is almost as cheap as in Russia, while Japan and Australia have high prices due to SIM costs and photo ID rules. The average price of SMS verification for an online platform was $0.26 in the US and $0.10 in the UK.
New research reveals heightened anxiety and declining optimism among young Americans, who perceive risk everywhere they turn due to factors like Covid-19 lockdowns and school shootings. Gen Z is increasingly cynical about changing the world, viewing politics and protests with skepticism.
A recent study found that TikTok videos about gout are often misleading, inconsistent, or inaccurate. Gout is a painful inflammatory arthritis caused by high urate in the blood, and there are persistent gaps in awareness among patients and the public.
A study analyzing resharing behavior on X (formerly Twitter) shows that different expressed emotions unfold in the aftermath of celebrity suicides, with disgust being the most contagious emotion. The findings emphasize the need for emotion-specific approaches to both theoretical modeling and practical intervention in online environments.
Children who spend a significant amount of time on social media platforms experience a gradual decline in their ability to concentrate. The study found no association between TV watching or video game playing and attention symptoms.
Social media influencers share biased or misleading medical advice, causing harm, experts argue. Strategies include effective regulation, stronger accountability, and user empowerment through targeted education.
A new FAU study reveals significant mental health differences between dark web users and surface web users, with dark web users reporting substantially higher levels of depressive symptoms and paranoid thoughts. The study also found substantial differences in suicidal thoughts, non-suicidal self-injury, and digital self-harm.
The ARU symposium delves into the effects of consuming mass-produced low-quality content, reshaping art, media, politics, and the internet. Dr Tina Kendall discusses the psychological and societal implications of AI-generated material, including its environmental costs.
A new tool reorders content to downrank posts containing antidemocratic attitudes and partisan animosity, reducing polarization. Users who had such content downranked showed more positive views of the opposing party, with a noticeable impact on their emotional responses.
Research on US adults found that most social media users are driven by habit rather than genuine addiction. Frequent social media use is often labeled as an addiction in news articles, influencing user perceptions
A study suggests personalized algorithms can lead to inaccurate generalizations, even when users know nothing about a topic. Researchers found that algorithmic personalization can bias learning and cause overconfidence in incorrect answers.
Researchers tested a 'mental model' approach to counter unwarranted fears about mRNA technology. The study found that exposing people to visual models of how vaccines work and/or how cells protect DNA from foreign fragments undercuts the effect of exposure to misconceptions.
A 1-week social media detox in young adults was associated with reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia. The study's findings suggest a potential therapeutic benefit of reducing social media use for mental health concerns.
A study from Aalto University found that just a handful of influential voices can drive dramatic societal rifts, with an elite cluster accounting for a striking share of overall polarisation. Alignment among elites has also become increasingly complete, leading to political gridlock and regression in individual and societal well-being.
A study published in Insect Conservation and Diversity analyzed over 17,000 social media photos and videos to understand domestic cats' prey in urban settings. The research found that cats hunt a diverse range of arthropods, including Orthoptera, Hemiptera, and Blattodea.