Research on social media and its effects on people. Covers sleep and mood, body image, self-objectification, and the platforms' wider social impact.
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.
A new study found that 41% of teenagers can't tell the difference between true and fake online health messages. The researchers suggest focusing on health literacy and media literacy training, as well as skills like analytical thinking and scientific reasoning to help teenagers spot editing cues.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that people share information that is meaningful to themselves or their friends and family. The study analyzed the behavior of over 3,000 individuals and discovered that sharing activates reward centers in the brain and is driven by social relevance.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that short animations can help people recognize and resist misinformation. The experiment, conducted on YouTube with over 30,000 participants, suggests a potential solution for fighting disinformation.
A new study led by York University finds that lower-to-middle-income countries struggle with high unemployment rates after COVID-19 lockdowns and economic restrictions. In contrast, higher-income countries such as Canada have better managed their unemployment rates.
A new study found that social media boycotts of Goya Foods actually caused the company's nationwide sales to rise for a few weeks before subsiding to previous levels. Sales revived after a few weeks, even in geographic areas where customers forgo Goya products, driven by politically motivated first-time buyers supporting the brand.
A multinational study found that caregivers who consume digital media for relaxation are more likely to engage in negative parenting practices. The researchers also discovered that maintaining social connections through digital channels is related to lower levels of anxiety and depression.
Researchers explored the global spread of misinformation on spiders, finding that sensationalism and misinformation decrease when experts are consulted. Local events can quickly become international news, emphasizing the need for improved information quality at local nodes to reverberate globally.
Researchers found that NYC park users prioritized outdoor activities like walking, jogging, and biking during the pandemic. Social media data revealed concerns about social distancing, crowds, and mask-wearing, as well as specific incidents that reflected broader societal issues.
A West Virginia University researcher highlights the risks of sharing children's information on social media, including consent and privacy issues, as well as increased vulnerability to online predators. The study suggests that parents should be aware of these risks and take steps to protect their children's digital footprint.
A study analyzing over 2 billion Reddit comments found that 16.11% of users publish toxic posts and 13.28% of users publish toxic comments, with a positive correlation between community growth and increased toxicity
A study published in Patterns shows that five digital medicine companies share browsing data related to health topics with Facebook for lead generation and advertising purposes. The researchers found that two companies targeted ads consistent with their own privacy policies, while the other three did not comply with their policies.
A study published in Ocean & Coastal Management reveals that southern right whales are slower than expected at re-establishing a habitat in mainland waters. Social media posts and citizen scientist reports played a crucial role in assessing the species' population demographics, aiding conservation efforts.
A recent study found that social media platforms like Twitter do not accurately reflect the most pressing threats to wild elephant populations, such as habitat loss and human-elephant conflict. Local communities that live with elephants often face resentment due to their safety and livelihoods being at risk.
A study from the Alpha Generation Lab found that hyperactive children are more likely to use digital devices, while fidgety children may be more prone to social problems. The researchers suggest a two-way street where digital devices and behavior problems influence each other.
Researchers at Rutgers University have disentangled the two ways of thinking about self-control, highlighting the importance of diachronic regulation and the limited effectiveness of synchronic regulation. This distinction has implications for understanding willpower's role in helping people break habits.
A study found that higher empathy in adolescents is linked to lower odds of cyberbullying others based on their race, religion, or other identity factors. Cognitive empathy was the key factor in reducing bias-based cyberbullying.
A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo developed a system called DualCheck, which replaces traditional human verification tasks with educational content on online safety and ethics. Trials showed that users responded positively to the experience and felt they gained something from these microlearning sessions.
A study analyzed 10 years of cable TV news and found that networks like Fox and MSNBC have shifted further to the right and left, respectively. The ideological gap between channels became extreme after the 2016 Presidential election, particularly in primetime programming.
A recent study by the University of Texas at Austin found that C-level executives who regularly promote their knowledge and expertise on Twitter are 32% more likely to land high-paying job offers. This type of personal branding has tangible effects in the form of better job opportunities and higher overall earnings.
A study analyzing Twitter data from May 2020 to January 2021 found that the share of tweets about healthy foods increased by 20%, while fast-food and alcohol tweets decreased by 9% and 11%, respectively. The study suggests that people may have made healthier dietary changes during the pandemic, depending on their neighborhood environment.
A new study by University of California - San Francisco-led researchers found that tweens who spend more time on screens have a higher likelihood of developing disruptive behavior disorders. Social media was most likely to be linked to conduct disorder, while other forms of screen use were associated with oppositional defiant disorder....
Groups of healthcare workers, including nurses and physicians, use Twitter to share accurate health information and combat misinformation about COVID-19. They have faced public harassment but continue to amplify accurate information, creating infographics in multiple languages to reach diverse audiences.