Research on social media and its effects on people. Covers sleep and mood, body image, self-objectification, and the platforms' wider social impact.
A study by Dr. Roman Lietz and Dr. Fergal Lenehan found that socially engaged Twitter users share similar values and motivations, including a commitment to human rights, tolerance, and understanding. Despite the harsh environment of social media, these individuals demonstrate surprising similarities in their perspectives on society.
A Brigham and Women's Hospital study reveals that popular YouTube videos on sleep health often contain misinformation, despite expert-led content receiving significantly fewer views. The study highlights the prevalence of consumer bias in popular videos, which may lead to patients avoiding care or receiving wrong care.
A study of 11,633 children aged 9-11 found that increased screen time was associated with a higher risk of developing suicidal behaviors two years later. Each additional hour of screen time led to a 9% higher risk of reporting suicidal behavior.
A recent study from the University of South Australia found that teenagers with a 'late sleep chronotype' who use technology before bed on weekends are at greater risk of disturbed sleep. This can lead to a serious sleep deficit, negatively impacting their daily tasks and wellbeing.
Participants who reduced their social media use by 50% saw significant improvements in how they felt about their weight and overall appearance. The study suggests that limiting social media use may be a feasible method of producing short-term positive effects on body image among vulnerable populations.
New research explores the impact of digital media on visual perception, finding that online environments can shift what the brain pays attention to. Studies suggest that excessive digital use can lead to a reduced sensitivity to oblique angles, but this effect may not be permanent once exposure to nature increases.
MIT researchers have developed a receiver chip that targets and blocks unwanted signals without hurting device performance. The chip uses a mixer-first architecture and block digital filtering to remove harmonic interference, enabling it to handle high-power signals effectively.
An analysis of 13 million tweets suggests that celebrity tweets, particularly from politicians and news anchors, played a significant role in shaping public opinion on the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring social media activity to combat misinformation and promote health-protective behaviors.
Researchers have developed a novel prognostic index to predict survival outcomes in gastric cancer patients. The inflammation-combined prognostic index (ICPI) combines three biomarkers - lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio - to provide a personalized prognosis for each patient.
A Concordia researcher found that Instagram can provide relief and validation for women with mental health issues, such as eating disorders and anxiety. The study reveals how three Quebec women use Instagram in their daily lives to cope with mental illness.
A University of Kansas study analyzed over 1,000 AI-generated ads and found that they are only labeled as ads about half the time, often appealing to consumers in positive ways. The prevalence of AI in programmatic advertising raises concerns about consumer deception and the need for updated guidelines to require transparency.
A study by Georgia State University researchers identifies common techniques and forms of deception used by scammers to target victims on dating apps. The team analyzed nearly 10,000 vetted reports to develop a model for victim vulnerability and resilience.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that people's use of popular websites and social media platforms differs significantly based on their location and language. The study analyzed data from 124 countries and found that YouTube and Twitter are used in distinct ways across regions.
A study by the University of Bath found that close friends can expect a like regardless of previous posts, while acquaintances must reciprocate to earn a like. The study explores how relational closeness affects user behavior on social media.
A study by researchers at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that politicians who engage in incivility receive fewer followers and less interest in their messages. The researchers analyzed social media posts from Donald Trump and Joe Biden, finding that the former president lost over 6 million followers due t...
A UTHealth Houston study found caregivers of people at high risk of CTE are more likely to seek information from social media than physicians. The study also showed that participants reported 77% of online CTE information is probably true, with league-sponsored websites and healthcare providers being the least credible sources.
A Rutgers study found that people who know someone who became ill with COVID-19 or died from the disease are twice as likely to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The study also found that essential workers and those with better health status were more likely to get vaccinated.
A new study found that posts labeled as true received more engagement and positive reaction on Reddit than those marked as false. This contrasts with previous research suggesting falsehoods travel more quickly online.
A new study reveals that online hate speech is frequently conveyed through subtle and modified wording, allowing it to evade detection. Covert methods of expression are being used by haters to avoid detection, highlighting the need for increased attention to implied ways of expressing hate.
A study of nearly 2 million Tweets in London and San Francisco identified specific events and locations associated with different emotions. The analysis showed that certain locations, such as hotels and restaurants, were linked to higher levels of joy, while train stations and transportation sites were linked to disgust.
The University of Missouri has received a $2 million grant from the Department of Justice to help detect potential threats to school safety in rural Missouri schools. The project will partner with up to 26 rural school districts and utilize technology software to monitor online activity for threatening language or images.
Researchers analyzed nearly 400,000 Twitter posts to find that five popular conspiracy theories overlapped in narratives highlighting malicious purposes and secretive actions. The most common conspiracies included those related to Bill Gates, 5G Networks, vaccinations, QAnon, and Agenda 21.
A machine-learning analysis of 59 million online posts reveals associations between real-world events and various types of hate speech, including anti-immigration and LGBTQ-related slurs. The study suggests a complex relationship between triggering events and online hate speech, with potential implications for mitigating such speech.
A new project aims to examine the circulation of newspaper reports on anti-Black violence between 1863 and 1921. The team will use computational methods to trace how stories spread across the country and map their impact, with potential applications for studying other forms of racial violence.
An online randomized trial found that exposure to civic education via social media increased support for democracy, political efficacy, and voter registration among young adults in Tunisia. The study suggests that online civic education can be an effective tool in strengthening democratic values and rejecting authoritarian rule.
A new study analyzed nearly 20,000 conversations between online users and a chatbot called SimSimi to understand user interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers found that daily chats with the chatbot mostly led to positive emotions and reduced negative moods during lockdowns.
A USC-led study of over 2,400 Facebook users found that social media platforms' reward structures encourage habitually sharing information, leading to the spread of fake news. The researchers suggest that platforms should pursue structural changes to limit misinformation, rather than just moderating posted content.
A study analyzing YouTube videos by popular influencers with millions of followers found that many promoted stopping hormonal birth control over using it or safer alternatives. The researchers warn that this could lead to unplanned pregnancies and emphasize the need for critical evaluation of online health information.
Researchers from Curtin University have identified six new plant species using photos shared on Facebook and iNaturalist. The newly described carnivorous sundews were discovered through images taken by nature enthusiasts and photographers, demonstrating the potential of citizen scientists to contribute to advances in taxonomic research.
A Temple-led study explores how recently firearm-injured individuals perceive news media coverage of their injuries and firearm violence. Participants reported feeling relieved when not
A new study reveals that high-quality coral reefs in Hawaii are popular tourist sites, but also at risk from tourism-related development and pollution. The research used social media and aerial mapping to analyze the impact of tourist visitation on live coral cover across hundreds of coastal sites.
A new study by NYU's Center for Social Media and Politics found that Russian Twitter campaigns during the 2016 presidential race primarily reached a small subset of highly partisan Republicans. Despite influencing efforts, there were no measurable changes in attitudes, polarization, or voting behavior among those exposed to these forei...
A new method to detect groups of anomalous users has been developed by a Ben-Gurion University researcher, which can work on any network or platform. The method, known as Co-Membership-based Generic Anomalous Communities Detection Algorithm (CMMAC), uses network structural properties to identify unusual online behavior.
Researchers tracked tweets about two invasive insects, spotted lanternfly and Tuta absoluta, on Twitter and in news stories. They found that activity patterns on these platforms aligned with official surveys, providing insights into pest spread timing and location.
A study of 169 students found that habitual social media checking is linked to increased sensitivity in adolescent brains. This increased sensitivity may be an adaptive behavior to navigate the digital world, but also poses potential long-term consequences for brain development.
Research suggests that social media use in early adolescence may affect the brain's sensitivity to rewards and punishments, potentially influencing psychological adjustment. The study of 169 sixth- and seventh-grade students found associations between habitual checking behaviors on social media and changes in brain development.
The study identifies four key drivers of political violence in the United States: toxic polarization, identity-based ideologies, erosion of democratic norms, and disinformation. These drivers contribute to increased acceptance of political violence and undermine democratic institutions.
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.
Research found that people using social media to escape superficial boredom are preventing themselves from progressing to profound boredom, a state that can lead to more creative and meaningful activity. Profound boredom stems from uninterrupted time spent in solitude, allowing individuals to question their sense of self and existence.
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.
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 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.