Articles tagged with Social Media
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that faces paired with fake news headlines are perceived as trustworthy regardless of disputed labels. The research suggests that long-term perceptions of trustworthiness are more influenced by the content of the headline rather than the label itself.
A study published in The BMJ found that people who believe in conspiracies and reject the covid-19 vaccine are more likely to endorse mythical causes of cancer than non-conspiracists. However, awareness of actual causes of cancer is generally higher among these groups.
Researchers found that 'The Secret', a centuries-old folk medicine remedy, does not prevent bleeding after invasive coronary procedures. However, the study suggests that it may have therapeutic value due to its placebo effect, potentially providing stress relief for its believers.
Research by Dan Romer finds that seasonal fluctuations and other factors eliminate the apparent suicide contagion effect reported from the release of '13 Reasons Why'. The study also reveals a decline in adolescent suicide rates during summer months when youths are not in school.
Researchers found that companies engaging in corporate political advocacy experience lower brand attitudes and purchase intentions, particularly among consumers with low political efficacy. These effects are driven by the lack of faith in political institutions among these consumers.
Researchers identified several characteristics increasing risk of infection, while others decreased it. Strict adherence to mask-wearing and vitamin D consumption provided significant protection against COVID-19.
Researchers have identified a method that can automatically detect doxing on Twitter with high accuracy, which could help protect users from cyberbullying. The approach uses machine learning to differentiate between self-disclosures and malicious disclosures of sensitive personal information.
A Penn State-led research team found that TikTok's unique interface and algorithm make content creation and virality particularly easy yet lead to high rates of creator burnout. The platform's central role of the algorithm in determining viewership makes creators produce new content continuously, leading to burnout.
A new national study found that excessive screen time, especially video gaming and watching videos, is linked to an increased risk of developing OCD in US preteens. The study, led by UCSF researchers, suggests that intrusive thoughts about video game content can develop into obsessions or compulsions.
A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that different styles of social media use—passive, reactive and interactive—are related to psychological well-being. Interactive users reported greater feelings of social connectedness than passive or reactive users.
A USC study found that Instagram posts fueled the #BlackLivesMatter protests after George Floyd's death, amplifying conversations around civil rights and shaping large-scale movements. The research showed that visual content, such as images and videos, played a crucial role in reframing narratives and mobilizing coalitions around racia...
A new study from Brigham Young University found that most people on social media self-censor their comments to avoid conflict, while those on the margins fuel online dialogue. The study suggests a shift towards polarized conversations and encourages users to focus on solutions rather than defending identities.
Researchers used social media data to hindcast recreation visits before and after the fire, creating a complete picture of visitation changes. The approach holds promise for large, multi-ownership landscapes with inconsistent monitoring practices.
A recent study found that cannabis studies are often reported in positive terms in the media regardless of their results. The analysis of 20 studies involving 1,500 individuals showed a moderate to large placebo response, where pain was rated as being significantly less intense after treatment with placebo.
Research finds a strong link between economic inequality and addictive social media use in teenagers, who often escape negative feelings by using these platforms. The study, involving over 179,000 schoolchildren worldwide, highlights the need for new strategies to promote responsible social media use.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that watching just 17 minutes of YouTubers discussing their mental health struggles can decrease prejudice. The study, which involved 333 participants, showed a significant drop in explicit prejudice and intergroup anxiety levels.
A study found that CPR mannikins depicted in public social media accounts are predominantly white, lean men, lacking representation of diverse groups. The lack of diversity in these models may influence disparities in training and care for patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
A new study published in Nature Scientific Reports reveals that social media engagement with climate policy events can increase the focus of the building sector on environmental justice. The researchers found a strong environmental justice discourse among public concerns, which can foster positive sentiments and inspire innovative emis...
Researchers created a Facebook-like prototype platform, called Trustnet, where users rate posts as accurate or inaccurate before sharing. This approach showed that people effectively assess misinforming posts and share their assessments with others.
A study found that ER visits for suicidal thoughts among youth aged 5-19 increased by 59% from 2016-2017 to 2019-2021, with hospitalizations rising by 57%. The research highlights the need for improved mental wellness support and training for healthcare providers.
The study found that identity cues accounted for up to 61% of the variation in voting, causing viewers to evaluate content faster. Positive feedback enhanced reputations, while negative cues led to down-votes. Reputations influenced how viewers perceived and engaged with online content.
A study found that top YouTube and TikTok videos on prostate cancer screening recommendations have low to moderate quality consumer health information. Black and Hispanic representation was underrepresented in most videos, and high-risk racial groups were not discussed adequately.
A pre-pandemic conspiratorial mindset was associated with hesitance to accept COVID-19 vaccines, a new study suggests. Individuals who held conspiracy theories prior to the pandemic were more likely to believe in COVID-19 conspiracy theories and report hesitancy to be vaccinated.
A systematic review of digital media's effects on democracy found both positive and negative impacts, depending on the political context. Digital media can increase political knowledge and diversity of news exposure, but also foster polarization and populism in established democracies.
A Simon Fraser University study found that Americans are more likely to share COVID-19 misinformation online compared to four other English-speaking countries. The polarized political landscape and populist attitudes in the US contributed to this phenomenon.
A team of Lehigh University researchers is investigating the role of online media in shaping facts and influencing behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project aims to better understand how individuals and communities develop their understanding of major events, ultimately acting on that understanding.
A recent study found that adolescents who answered more COVID-19 test questions correctly also reported lower levels of loneliness and fear of missing out. Teens with better COVID-19 knowledge were less likely to use social media excessively, which contributed to their lower anxiety levels.
A new study from the University of Vermont found that TikTok's most viewed content on food, nutrition, and weight promotes a toxic diet culture, with weight loss and thinness glorified. The study highlights the need for critical thinking skills and a radical rethinking of how we relate to our bodies, food, and health.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that users generally question AI moderators when faced with ambiguous content, but trust in human or unknown moderators is higher for clear harassment comments. The study suggests a need for both human and AI moderators to effectively moderate online behavior.
A new study reveals significant gender bias in Reddit discussions about female politicians, with more frequent use of given names and language related to their body or family. This perpetuates stereotypes and can affect voter perception, incentivizing female politicians to conform to online expectations.
A study of 10 million Reddit comments reveals equal public interest in female and male politicians, yet with significant differences in how they are discussed. Female politicians were often referred to by their first names or bodies, whereas men's professions were highlighted more frequently, suggesting a subtle yet persistent bias.
Researchers propose experience cocreation to transform shared coupons into a tool for relationship building, suggesting it can boost social goals and alleviate norm conflict. The study recommends three steps for managers to utilize social influence, including sending reminder messages that emphasize economic and social value.
Researchers found that watching positive YouTube videos about sharks reduced fear and perception of intentional bites, shifting blame away from the animals. This can lead to increased support for pro-conservation responses and non-lethal shark management strategies.
Researchers analyzed COVID-19 conspiracy theories on Twitter, finding that some peaked at the beginning of the pandemic while others remained persistent throughout. The study suggests that risk perceptions and lack of information from governments and experts contributed to the persistence of these theories.
A study published in Body Image found that social media use is associated with lower appearance satisfaction. Engaging with content from friends and family was found to have a significantly stronger negative impact on appearance satisfaction compared to celebrities or influencers.
Researchers found that influencer originality, follower size, and sponsor salience enhance the effectiveness of a message. A balanced approach is most effective, with too little or too much posting hurting engagement. Firms should search for influencers with followers that overlap but aren't an exact match to achieve optimal brand-fit.
A recent study by the University of New Hampshire's Crimes against Children Research Center found that 16% of young adults in the US have experienced online sexual abuse before the age of 18. The study also revealed that 62% of perpetrators were acquaintances from their offline life, including current or former intimate partners.
A study of Russian adults found that those who accept vaccination unconditionaly are more likely to have higher trust in government and less frequent social media use. In contrast, vaccine rejectors tend to be more extroverted and friendly but less trusting of institutions.
Researchers discovered that influencers with an intermediate follower count create the most engagement, as larger and smaller influencer tiers fail to deliver comparable results. The study also found that content customization and brand familiarity can impact this relationship.
A new study found an association between college student FoMO and maladaptive behaviors such as academic misconduct, drug and alcohol use, and breaking the law. Brief FoMO assessments may be valuable risk prediction tools for counselors assisting students in transition to college.
A new study reveals that brand owned social media has a stronger impact on sales than previously thought. To stimulate engagement, brands should focus on emotions in their content, rather than easy-to-measure metrics like likes and comments.
Researchers found that online fans in China engage in participatory censorship, self-censoring and policing others to strengthen the authoritarian regime's control over the internet. The study suggests that users create a social imaginary of censorship, speculating about the government's parameters and acting upon it.
Researchers found strong and linear associations between social media use and depression across all personality traits. Young adults who used more social media were 49% less likely to become depressed if they had high agreeableness compared to those with low agreeableness.
Researchers found that those who do follow politicians display clear political biases and engage in a highly selective way. The study analyzed over 1.5 million Twitter users and found that conservative users are twice as likely to share in-group content as out-group content.
Recent media releases from UK government agencies and NHS organizations lack objectivity and provide unbalanced information on prescription-only medicines. The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin expresses concerns over the use of hyperbolic language and omission of key information about potential harms and benefits.
Researchers found that smartphones and social media can exacerbate feelings of attachment and anomie, rather than providing purpose and meaning. Identifying a satisfying purpose in life can provide a protective effect against these negative effects.
A study analyzing millions of tweets reveals that Republican Congress members share more links to untrustworthy sources, compared to their European counterparts. This trend is particularly concerning given the upcoming US midterm elections and the role of social media in shaping public perceptions.
A recent academic study found that Facebook's introduction at American colleges was associated with a significant worsening in mental health symptoms, particularly depression and anxiety. The study used a novel research method to establish causality between social media use and poor mental health.
A large-scale experimental study by Harvard, Stanford, and MIT researchers found that weaker social connections on LinkedIn have a greater beneficial effect on job mobility than stronger ties. Weaker ties increased the likelihood of job mobility the most, while strongest ties had the least impact.
Researchers developed guidance for organizations to regulate cybervetting, reducing biases and promoting diversity. Job seekers can also take steps to limit their exposure to bias by removing negative posts and using privacy settings.
Researchers found that mTOR inhibition is crucial for p53-mediated tumor suppression, delaying cancer and increasing lifespan. In the absence of mTOR inhibition, cancer-promoting senescent cells drive tumor growth.
A new study from the University of Kansas found that racial and ethnic minority populations in the US faced unique challenges while seeking COVID-19 information online, including misinformation, harassment, and hostility. Younger and healthier individuals were more resistant to vaccination due to lower perceived risk and benefit.
A study found that replacing social media use with physical activity improves mental health, leading to increased happiness and reduced depression. Participants who followed the advice for two weeks experienced positive effects that lasted up to six months.
A new study has found that extreme temperatures are fueling online hate speech, with hate tweets increasing by up to 12% for colder temperatures and 22% for hotter temperatures. The researchers analyzed over 4 billion tweets from the US between 2014 and 2020, finding a 'feel-good window' of 15-18°C where hate tweets were at their lowest.
A new study published in Information, Communication and Society journal found a strong link between economic inequality and problematic social media use among adolescents. The research, involving over 179,000 schoolchildren from 40 countries, suggests that new strategies are needed to reduce the impact of deprivation on social media use.
A new study analyzing YouTube comments found that fans of a celebrity will often continue to support them despite immoral acts. The study used language-processing algorithms to analyze comments on Logan Paul's videos before and after a scandalous incident in which he shared a video of a dead body.
Researchers found that people's perception of natural spaces changed during the pandemic, with increased use of rural trails and a newfound appreciation for nature. The study suggests that parks and greenspaces serve as essential amenities for overall well-being, particularly for marginalized communities.
A new study by New York University found that YouTube's recommendation algorithm prioritized election-fraud-related videos for users already skeptical about the 2020 presidential election's legitimacy. This highlights the dangers of opaque algorithms perpetuating misinformation and disinformation.
Researchers found that increasing active listening and empathy in a firm's response can evoke customer gratitude, even if the actual failure is not yet recovered. The study shows that these strategies can be easy-to-implement implications for companies handling complaints via social media.
A study from researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that social media sharers believe they are knowledgeable about the content they share, even if they have not read it. This rise in confidence is due to the public commitment to an expert identity through sharing.