Research on social media and its effects on people. Covers sleep and mood, body image, self-objectification, and the platforms' wider social impact.
A social media analysis found that most health institutions failed to respond promptly to misinformation linking acetaminophen use to autism during pregnancy. The American Academy of Pediatrics was the only institution to respond quickly and effectively, posting 10 relevant posts within a day of the controversy unfolding.
Researchers created a survey to collect data on health misinformation from medical professionals, finding that over 50% of misinformation involved vaccines and other topics. The data was used to create an externally facing website and internal educational trainings to address these concerns.
A study found that about 53% of TikTok videos on the topic contained evidence-consistent information, while 28% contained outright misinformation. The algorithm amplified low-quality, conspiracy-framed videos, allowing them to spread widely on the platform.
A study of 122 Australian consumers found that EV misinformation can lead to misconceptions about safety, environmental impact, and practicality. Researchers suggest addressing underlying concerns and providing credible information to build trust in electric vehicles.
Experts argue that digital menstrual tracking apps and cycle syncing practices have weak evidence bases and pose risks to health, privacy, and wellbeing. Despite their potential benefits, these apps require critical interrogation and resistance due to their potential for widespread impact on women's health.
A study examines how urban heat impacts everyday life, health, and social interactions in Mexico City, revealing a clear threshold beyond which heat becomes a public concern. The research combines satellite observations, social media data, and geographic analysis to understand the human dimension of urban heat.
Flinders University researchers found that perceptions of online activists' motives can impact collective action effectiveness. Bystanders are less likely to participate when they perceive activists as insincere, indicating autonomous motivation is key to movement success.
A new study from Bournemouth University surveyed 2,112 UK adults engaged in matched betting, finding that many perceived it as risk-free despite losing over half. Participants attributed losses to mistakes rather than risk, highlighting the need for greater research on matched betting's effects.
An interdisciplinary team created Who Eats Whom, a website drawing on iNaturalist data to explore trophic interactions globally. The platform has logged 17,000 observations of 5,700 species, showcasing the public's interest in smaller trophic relationships.
A new study by George Mason University found that college students who spend more time on social media tend to sleep worse and perceive their own health poorer. The study, which analyzed data from 349 first-year students, suggests that sleep quality may be a pathway connecting social media use with self-rated health.
College students who engage with sports content online are no more likely to participate in real-world physical activity, according to a SeoulTech study. The research suggests that YouTube sports content could be improved to encourage viewers to engage in sustained physical activity with practical features.
A review of legislative approaches to adolescent social media highlights potential benefits and risks, but systematic evidence is limited. Rapid research is needed to assess policy approaches and support child-centered policies.
Researchers used social media data to analyze US sleep trends during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding widespread sleeplessness across the country. The study, published in PLOS One, suggests that nighttime social media posts can be used to track sleep patterns and identify areas of high sleep distress.
A study of 323 women found that thinspiration content increased self-objectification and worsened mood, while body-positive content boosted mood, despite still increasing self-objectification. Body-positive content strengthened positive mood effects in women with high self-objectification tendencies.
University journalism programs are filling news deserts by providing community news, but face challenges in maintaining consistency and recognition. The six case studies in the book highlight the pros and cons of university-operated news outlets, including the benefits of faculty expertise and student coverage.
Researchers analyzed 300 social media posts tagged #healthylifestyle, #nutrition and #cleaneating, finding widespread messaging on restrictive food rules, moralized views of food and unrealistic dietary ideals. The study highlights the need for healthy eating to be flexible, enjoyable and sustainable.
Researchers found that teens use subtlety and systematized harm online, while adults often overlook. LGBTQ+ students, gender nonconforming students, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds are most likely to experience bullying. Social media becomes a primary way young people learn about diversity and create support systems.
A new University of Oklahoma study examines whether targeted social media messages can increase parents' knowledge and help them take action to prevent teen vaping. The research aims to give parents the information and tools they need to recognize vaping and help prevent its use with their children.
A survey of 365 Australian adolescents aged 10-15 found that those who began using social media at a younger age reported more symptoms of anxiety and depression. The study suggests that delaying children's first exposure to social media may be a promising policy for protecting mental health.
Researchers found that personalized content from social media algorithms can negatively impact users' mental health by reinforcing negative emotions and thoughts. The study suggests that educating people on critical social media engagement behaviors can help mitigate this effect.
A new study found that online review platforms can be vulnerable to cyberattacks, which can be triggered by analyzing users' review lengths and social connections. The researchers suggest adding noise to the data to reduce the risk of identity theft and phishing attacks.
A study of 446 young adults from Australia and China found that frequent exposure to eating videos can lead to body image concerns, strong food cravings, and symptoms linked to disordered eating. The study suggests that these videos may contribute to unhealthy thoughts about food, eating, and appearance.
Researchers analyzed 16 enacted laws across 10 states to understand the patchwork of state social media laws, finding that limiting access had the least supporting evidence, while media literacy training showed promise
Exposure to suicide attempts within social networks was linked to increased risk of subsequent suicide attempts and higher depressive symptoms in adolescents and young adults. Assessing recent exposure to suicide attempts may help identify high-risk youths undetected through symptom-based screening alone.
A new study by the University of Birmingham reveals that TikTok's design can make it difficult for young people to distinguish between trustworthy and misleading mental health advice. The study found that young people tend to rely on relatability rather than reliability when seeking mental health advice on the platform.
A new study highlights the urgent need for concerted strategies to combat online illegal wildlife trade, which is magnified by the anonymity of online platforms. The review identifies critical gaps in data and emphasizes the need for cooperation across sectors and comprehensive policy frameworks to address this growing threat.
Researchers found that hemp-derived cannabinoid brands emphasize lifestyle and recreational marketing, with minimal attention to safety warnings, on social media platforms. The study highlights gaps in platform policies and enforcement, calling for clearer standards addressing youth-oriented features and misleading health claims.
A recent study found that TikTok food content prompts hunger and cravings in adolescents, but parents can help them navigate its influence by fostering critical conversations and encouraging family meals. The study suggests parents can provide a protective perspective by questioning influencer claims and promoting healthy social media ...
A scoping review reveals the significant impact of digital technologies on gender-based violence in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among women and girls. The study highlights the need for urgent action to address this emerging issue.
Researchers found that media literacy was the strongest predictor of trust in social institutions, while respondents who critically assessed online information had higher levels of institutional trust. Social media use, particularly WhatsApp, was not a significant predictor of civic engagement.
A study of Reddit posts about the maternal Tdap vaccine found pregnant women seeking information to clarify concerns and better understand healthcare provider advice. Many posters asked for reassurance around vaccine safety or their choice to refuse the vaccine, but few posts contained discussions of vaccine hesitancy.
A study on the 2019 global climate strikes found that online conflict enables millions of strangers to discover they are telling the same story and act together. The researchers identified three phases: exposure, entanglement, and coalescence, where distinct causes fuse into a single global movement.
A systematic review reveals that social media has only partially fulfilled its promise to democratize climate change communication. Established actors continue to shape the discussion, while climate-change skeptics gain visibility. This undermines public debate on climate change.
Researchers found that meaning in life and healthy digital habits are strong predictors of better mental health outcomes. These factors can be strengthened through interventions, regardless of religious affiliation.
A new framework, Tripartite Reactions to Emotions theory, explains how emotional posts and reviews influence perceptions of products and authors' own feelings. The theory reveals three distinct psychological reactions: pushing people toward and away from a product or brand, sometimes simultaneously.
Despite scientific progress, public faith in science is collapsing due to the proliferation of digital platforms and the democratization of access to information. This erodes trust as people rely on expert opinions without evaluating scientific claims for themselves.
Teaching children emotional regulation and healthy friendships can provide a crucial buffer against social media's risks to mental health and self-worth. Strong childhood friendships are better equipped to navigate digital spaces, reducing the likelihood of online validation-based identity and self-worth issues.
A five-year panel study in Japan found that vaccine-related conspiracy beliefs are associated with media skepticism and distrust of institutions. Common forms of conspiracy thinking involve persistent distrust of social institutions and mainstream media.
All 50 US states have introduced bills to regulate social media and digital platforms for minors. A new public database, the Youth Digital Policy Repository, categorizes state legislation by location, year, and topic, providing a centralized source of regulations to inform future legislation.
A new study from the University of Kansas reveals that everyday people often focus on punishment as a solution to gender-based violence rather than examining its causes. Commenters regularly called for imprisonment and stripping perpetrators of power and resources, with some even advocating for poverty as a form of punishment.
Researchers found that problematic Internet usage is associated with worse mood, more stress, and longer internet use times. The study suggests that temptation is the main driver for continued internet use, with feelings of pleasure and relief emerging as reinforcing factors.
A study by Universitat Pompeu Fabra found that Instagram comments associate breastfeeding with the ideal of good motherhood, fostering guilt among women who cannot breastfeed. The research highlights the tension between idealized representation and everyday reality, revealing a need for critical awareness and empowerment.
A cohort study found that increased problematic social media use during mid-adolescence was directly associated with higher ADHD symptoms. The association was strongest among male participants.
Researchers argue that social media restrictions should be viewed as part of a complex system rather than isolated policies. They suggest using systems mapping to anticipate effects and design more balanced approaches, considering factors such as school engagement, social connections, and industry responses.
A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that low body esteem, problematic social media use, and other factors are linked to addictive-like behavior in women who undergo repeated cosmetic treatments. Nearly 20% of surveyed women met the threshold for moderate-to-severe risk of addictive cosmetic procedure use.
An Aston University study has found that the public lacks a clear understanding of what constitutes 'social media', with varying opinions on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. The research highlights the importance of precise definitions to avoid ineffective regulation and protect vulnerable groups.
New Cornell University research reveals that social media content creation is often depicted as a 'dream job,' but highlights the less auspicious elements of work in this space, including endemic burnout. The researchers found that creators have few mechanisms for protection from work-related harms due to their status as independent co...
Depression is associated with a greater tendency to be reinforced by social rewards on Twitter, contrary to laboratory-based findings of blunted reinforcement learning in depression. This suggests potential mechanisms linking social media use to worse mental health outcomes.
A new study reveals that racial and ethnic minority youth pay more attention to food influencers who share their racial identity, resulting in stronger engagement with unhealthy foods. The researchers found that identity-based social media marketing can be a powerful mechanism in shaping adolescents' eating behavior.
A study found that social media helped spread information during the Rolling Fork tornado, but also revealed communication challenges facing rural areas due to limited broadband access and fragmented media. Researchers suggest a need for personalized messaging strategies to address diverse community needs.
Researchers from Kyushu University Museum discovered a new wasp species, Eupelmus curvator, in Japan using social media-facilitated observations. The study provides the first formal scientific description of the male species and highlights the potential of digital collecting for biodiversity research.
A new study analyzing over 11,000 YouTube videos and comments found that online discussions surrounding avian influenza transformed scientific information into broader debates involving institutional trust, politics, and alternative interpretations of disease risk. The analysis identified dominant themes, emotional patterns, and shifts...
A new study found that Australia's Social Media Minimum Age Act has little effect on reducing teen social media use, with many under 16s using platforms despite age restrictions. The study also showed that many teens are actively circumventing age verification checks.
A Canadian study of over 13,500 older adults found that social networking sites were associated with poorer perceived mental health. Email use was positively correlated with mental health, while no significant associations were found for other digital communication tools.
A recent USF study found that male victims of financial sextortion experience significant financial and psychological effects, including anxiety and shame. The research highlights the importance of caution on dating apps and social media to reduce risk, as well as seeking help and support if affected.
Researchers analyzed TikTok videos discussing food noise, finding it's a relentless preoccupation with eating that affects daily activities. The study aims to bring evidence to differentiate between scientific claims and marketing purposes.
A study of nearly 1,000 TikTok videos found that sunscreen misinformation attracts disproportionate audience engagement, with critique-focused content generating more likes, shares, and comments than promotional videos. The analysis highlights the viral potential of contrarian content on TikTok.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that a single TV episode sparked a surge in awareness and conversations about the historic ambulance service. Online search trends and social media conversations revealed how entertainment media can spark curiosity and learning about forgotten topics.
A study assesses the quality and accuracy of Crohn's disease-related content on Instagram Reels, finding moderate overall quality with medical-advice videos containing significant misinformation. The research emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating social media health content to ensure accurate information is shared.
Researchers found that most readers abandon sites after hitting paywalls, but these barriers actually increase subscriptions by 84 times. Paywalls also prompt readers to log in or explore free content. To boost digital revenue, publishers should target readers with tailored offers and cultivate direct relationships.