Research on social media and its effects on people. Covers sleep and mood, body image, self-objectification, and the platforms' wider social impact.
A recent study by the University of Rochester found that mobility patterns can be predicted with surprising accuracy based on data collected from acquaintances, even if individual users turn off their own location tracking. The researchers discovered that up to 95% of an individual's movement pattern can be inferred from people they ar...
The partnership between pharma companies and patient influencers has raised concerns about the potential risks and benefits. While some see it as a way to improve disease awareness and treatment options, others worry about misinformation and advertising blurring the lines between opinion and ad content.
The University of Missouri has received a grant to help nurses discuss COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy with their communities. The project will equip nursing students with knowledge and confidence to promote public health through effective communication strategies.
A new study provides insights for managing brand authenticity, diverging from conventional conceptualizations. Marketing managers need an analytical approach to understand cultural meanings and contradictions underlying authenticity challenges.
A Simon Fraser University study found that Google's autocomplete subtitles for 37 conspiracy theorists were never consistent with their behavior. The labels often normalized individuals who spread misinformation and harm to minority groups. Researchers call for Google to review these subtitles to better inform the public.
A study found that crowdfunding campaigns are most successful when promoted on social media during the first 10 days. The researchers analyzed data from GoFundMe and found that donation patterns follow three phases, with a surge in donations as the goal is approached. However, they also discovered that slacktivism can occur when people...
A new study measures the happiness benefits of US city parks in the 25 largest cities, finding a powerful effect from urban nature on users. Park size and accessibility emerged as key predictors of happiness.
A recent study analyzing traditional and social media trends on biotechnology found a significant drop in the salience of the GMO issue between 2018 and 2020. The research suggests that misinformation about GMOs is losing its ability to persuade, even on social media.
A new study by North Carolina State University found that Facebook's interest profiling process is not accurate, resulting in targeted ads that may not align with users' actual interests. Researchers discovered that even simple activities like scrolling through a page can lead to inaccurate interest inference.
Research suggests that girls are more vulnerable to negative effects of social media on life satisfaction between ages 11-13, while boys experience this effect at 14-15 years old. Increased social media use predicts lower life satisfaction at age 19.
Researchers analyzed over 4 million Twitter posts to find that fact-related users were negatively associated with vaccination rates, while fake-news users showed no significant impact. Exclusive fact-based users were more likely to be verified accounts with higher online influence.
A new digital approach analyzes audience interests across a broad brand ecosystem, identifying non-traditional branding opportunities. The study reveals cross-category insights, including brand-brand and brand-category connections, which help assess co-branding and extension opportunities.
A study found that uncivil tweet replies to congresswomen of color doubled after Trump's initial derogatory remarks. The majority of replies contained stereotypes and threats, with a chilling effect on women who might speak out or run for office.
A study found that 42% of TikTok videos on high blood pressure focused on alternative medicine, while only 5% mentioned exercise. Most creators were not healthcare professionals, highlighting the need for more emphasis on credible sources.
A study found that parents who frequently share photos of their children on social media tend to have more permissive and confident parenting styles. They also engage their children with social media at younger ages, raising concerns about privacy and safety.
Researchers discovered that epilepsy patients' social media activity increased before their sudden deaths from SUDEP. The study found significant alterations in the patients' digital behavior, including changes in the number of words written and drastic sentiment shifts in their posts.
A large majority of individuals who reported non-suicidal self-injury on Reddit described their experience in terms similar to those used to diagnose substance use disorder. The study suggests that clinicians may adopt strategies used to diagnose and treat substance use disorders to better support people living with non-suicidal self-i...
Researchers have developed a new forecasting approach using machine learning and anonymized datasets from Facebook that significantly outperforms conventional models for projecting COVID trends at the county level. The model captures shifting trends in numbers reflecting lockdowns, waning immunity, or masking policies.
A new study found that more than half of local public health departments experienced harassment during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over one-third of public health officials who resigned or were fired reported incidents of harassment.
A study of 500 ultra-Orthodox Israeli adults during the COVID-19 pandemic found that using digital media, especially for essential purposes, increased compliance with government health regulations. Women and older individuals were more likely to follow guidelines.
A new study by MIT researchers analyzed hundreds of millions of social media posts to measure the emotional toll of the pandemic. The study found that the pandemic caused a huge drop in positive public sentiment, with a subsequent slow return to pre-pandemic levels. Countries most affected included Australia, Spain, and the UK.
A study by Yevgeniy Golovchenko examines the effect of a 2017 Ukrainian ban on online activity among Russian social media users. The findings indicate that censorship may not be effective in reducing activity, as users can circumvent bans using VPNs and shift to cheaper alternatives.
A new study reveals a significant increase in digital screen time among children during the pandemic, posing risks to their physical health. The excessive screen time is linked to eye strain, unstable vision, dry eyes, and increased risk of obesity.
Researchers found that social media consumers trust verified accounts less than unverified ones if the content is inconsistent with the influencer's brand. Verified accounts can actually harm trust and may not be more effective at selling products.
Researchers have identified key opportunities to address threats to shark and ray populations through technological advances, international coordination, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. The review highlights the importance of sharks and rays in coastal marine ecosystems and their vulnerability to exploitation due to late maturatio...
A study published in Health Data Science found a positive correlation between COVID-19 cases and mental health concerns on Twitter. The majority of mental health-related tweets were posted by middle-aged and senior users, with males expressing concerns more frequently than females.
A study by University of California, Davis and University of Texas, Austin researchers found that Republican-identifying individuals who trust their local government's positive intentions are more likely to believe COVID-19 misinformation. In contrast, Democrat-identifying users showed no such trend.
New research found that Black Lives Matter protests led to a surge in online searches for anti-racist terms and topics, with spikes in searches continuing even after the initial protests. The study also showed that these increased search volumes were correlated with higher daily visits to Wikipedia pages on related topics.
A review of almost 200 studies spanning 15 years reveals large gaps in understanding how to use social media for crisis communication efforts. The study highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to assess crisis communications on a global scale.
A new study reveals that individuals use covert online signals to convey their political identity, especially in mixed groups. This allows them to communicate without risking negative reactions from those who disagree. The research found that people prefer overt signals in homogeneous groups.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that AI-powered apps reduced business risks during the pandemic by 3.1%. The use of AI apps was also linked to lower profits (2%) and overall business risk (1.2%). Only 26% of small enterprises are currently using these applications.
A survey of young adult cancer survivors found that crowdfunding provides relief in paying bills, but also involves compromises such as revealing personal health details and feeling uncomfortable asking for help. The study suggests that crowdfunding could be exacerbating racial and economic disparities.
A new study of Danish tweets about facemasks during the Covid-19 pandemic reveals that only a small percentage attempt to correct misinformation, instead focusing on ridicule and satire. The researchers conclude that people's primary goal is often to defend their social position among like-minded individuals.
A Washington State University study suggests that partisan media exposure and pre-existing attitudes play a significant role in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The findings indicate that individuals with positive vaccine attitudes and lower conservative media consumption are more likely to have higher vaccine intention.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that US journalists' tweets from the 2016 campaign trail employed more emotive and informal language compared to traditional news articles. This reliance on intuition and past anchoring biases suggests a cognitive bias in word choices.
Glenn Stone's analysis reveals how precision agriculture tools, such as detailed soil mapping and autonomous vehicles, can erode peasants' ability to self-manage their communities. Small farmers may face a paradigm shift in lifestyle and subsistence, with increased dependencies on external commercial services.
A study found that YouTube videos on cosmetic injectables often lack reliable information, with physician-created content being more trustworthy than patient-based ones. Websites tend to offer higher quality information, but their popularity is lower compared to YouTube videos.
A recent study by SMU Associate Professors Mark Chong and Angela Leung found that the ultimate form and presentation of alternative protein products significantly impact their acceptance by consumers. Focusing on the end product and framing alternative proteins as a positive highlight of an exciting food future may foster greater accep...
SnehAI, an AI-powered chatbot, engages young people in India about SRH through a non-judgmental avatar-based interface. The chatbot successfully presented itself as a trusted friend and mentor, fostering curiosity and action.
A special issue of Criminology & Public Policy examines the effects of the George Floyd protests on the criminal justice system. Studies focus on policy changes, police institutional change, and public attitudes surrounding defunding the police.
Researchers analyzed 60 billion tweets to understand vaccine hesitancy on social media. They found that anti-vaxxer profiles often share links to YouTube videos and commercial sites selling alternative health products, highlighting the spread of misinformation in echo chambers.
A new study by the University of Edinburgh suggests that social media bots pose less of a threat to spreading harmful messages and misinformation. Bots were found to have very limited relation to users' stance on different topics, making up less than 10% of accounts affecting users' views.
Yang Wang's research focuses on usability of privacy technologies and artificial intelligence. Researchers will conduct semi-structured interviews, surveys, and co-design sessions with users from India and Bangladesh about their experiences with targeted ads.
Researchers found that smartphone app usage patterns can be used to identify individuals with over 30% accuracy. The study analyzed data from 780 people and showed consistent patterns in application usage behaviors on a day-to-day basis. This highlights the potential risks to privacy when using apps automatically collected by smartphones.
Researchers found that fact checks are a more effective counter to COVID-19 misinformation than false news tags. The study, published in Public Opinion Quarterly, tested the impact of fact checks and false tags on public perception of false claims about the pandemic.
Research from six countries highlights social media's importance for migrant and ethnic minority populations seeking COVID-19 information, particularly in cases of language barriers or limited access to official sources. Positive social media experiences can increase vaccine uptake by sharing personalized and culturally tailored public...
A global study highlights inadequate information from healthcare professionals and lack of sensitivity leading to child vaccine hesitancy. Expectant parents are seeking alternative sources due to concerns about adverse reactions and long-term side effects, with some fearing measles as a minor childhood illness.
A recent study found that people are equally convinced by false and true expert consensus, but provide source information can strengthen the latter. Researchers at UNSW Science's School of Psychology tested this phenomenon and developed strategies to combat misinformation. By providing context on how original sources used evidence to a...
Researchers found that people with strong convictions and those with mild views both change their opinions to align with a partner's opinion based on shared personal features. This led to a decline in polarization and an increase in support for redistributive policies.
A new study reveals that online social network algorithms can distort and amplify biases against minority groups, leading to unequal visibility and ranking. Researchers found that homophily and the proportion of minorities in a network can contribute to this effect.
A University of Kansas study analyzed 451 news articles from major publications and found that media worldwide reported on the pandemic as a racial threat, often blaming China or Asia. The study highlights the importance of responsible language in media coverage to avoid perpetuating xenophobia and discrimination.
A recent University of Cincinnati study found that the term 'storyteller' attached to a journalist's bio diminishes public confidence in media. Participants on both sides of the political spectrum associated the term with biased reporting and decreased credibility. Researchers urge journalists to be more mindful of their online presence.
A study by Washington University in St. Louis found that slant and consistency of messages in national television ads significantly impact online word-of-mouth chatter and candidate preference. Consistency with the primary message is crucial, even for more partisan messages, suggesting that campaign strategies should focus on building ...
A study found that Black Americans on Instagram are more willing to post political content than their non-Black counterparts, defying expectations. Despite uncertainty about their followers' political leanings, Black users are more likely to engage in political expression on the platform.
A study analyzing over 1 million Swedish Tweets found scant evidence for significant polarization on immigration topics, even after the 2015 refugee crisis. The researchers discovered a shift in sentiment towards more negative tones and fewer neutral tweets after the crisis.
Researchers used Facebook data to measure cultural similarity between countries, finding associations between immigration patterns and people's food and drink interests. Countries with more immigrants showed higher cultural similarity between origin and destination countries.
A new study published in the Journal of Politics found that factual corrections on Facebook's news feed can improve users' accuracy in recognizing misinformation. Even when exposed to misinformation, users became more accurate despite freedom to choose what to read, with fact-checks increasing accuracy across partisan lines.
Researchers developed an algorithm that prioritizes reliable news sources based on audience diversity, reducing the spread of misinformation. The new strategy incorporates data on web traffic and self-reported partisanship to promote diverse news sources.
A field experiment in China found that people tend to increase activity when informed that others are themselves increasing activity, suggesting a low-cost intervention for promoting economic activity during the pandemic. The study suggests that social cues can be a useful signal for evaluating risks and making decisions about activities.
A recent study tracked shifting mental health signals across eight Australian cities using machine learning and spatial mapping. Researchers found a shift from pessimism early on to increased optimism in the middle phase, before returning to pessimism in the later phase.