Articles tagged with Social Media
Despite significant declines in teen pregnancies in the UK, regional disparities persist, and some outcomes worsen. Experts warn that the 'rates are down, so the job is done' mentality may be detrimental to progress.
A survey by FECYT found that 51.05% of researchers who communicate science in Spain faced attacks, with women being more likely to experience them. The main types of attacks were insults, comments about their professional capacity, and opinions on their integrity.
A new study by Lancaster University reveals that language in job ads can unintentionally reinforce or disrupt labour force gender/racial composition. Workforces with more women tend to use family-friendly policies in ads, while racial minority workers' ads lack impact, the research shows.
A new study found that Norwegian boys are outperforming girls in learning English as a second language, with the gap increasing at age 13. The researchers suggest that online gaming and digital technology may be contributing factors, contradicting conventional wisdom about gender differences in language acquisition.
A new study found that AI-fact checking can lead to increased belief in false headlines, while decreasing faith in true ones. Human-generated fact checks, however, enhanced discernment of true headlines.
A multinational study of 14 countries found that having a personal social media account was linked to higher total sedentary time in both males and females. Adolescents who reported less recreational screen time lived in walkable neighborhoods and had better perceptions of safety.
Bluesky is now a recognized attention source for published research, with Altmetric tracking over 395,000 mentions of research on the platform. This integration provides researchers and institutions with insights into their work's real-world influence.
Researchers found that brief scientific literacy interventions can undermine conspiracy beliefs, particularly those built on faulty reasoning. These interventions were most effective against novel conspiracies and among high-conspiracy groups.
A sociologist suggests that anxiety disorders among teenagers rose before widespread social media use, pointing to other factors like obsession with work status, too much choice, and excessive focus on long-term planning. Modern society has developed a learned inability to live with uncertainty, according to Roland Paulsen.
A new study reveals that researchers in tobacco, ultra-processed food, and alcohol sectors are frequently targeted with intimidation tactics. Public discreditation is the most common method used by corporations or their proxies to undermine and discredit advocates and researchers who provide evidence to policymakers.
A new study suggests that high-quality friendships formed through social networking can contribute to improved self-esteem, leading to reduced levels of loneliness. The research found that young adults who felt connected with others on social media experienced increased self-esteem, which in turn reduced feelings of loneliness.
Researchers found that bypassing misinformation, by providing accurate information with positive implications, can be superior to correction in situations where people form beliefs rather than attitudes. This approach has potential for informing strategies to combat misinformation and change behavior. The study suggests a more nuanced ...
A recent study by UCL researchers reveals that people with poorer mental health are more prone to browsing negative content online, which further exacerbates their symptoms. The study found that adding 'content labels' to webpages can help users make healthier and more informed decisions about the content they consume.
A new book by Dr Merten Reglitz proposes a human right to free internet access, including protections against government censorship and surveillance. The research argues that governments should provide guaranteed access to the internet with sufficient quality to meet basic human rights needs.
A recent study surveyed over 1,000 English-dominant, bilingual, and Spanish-dominant Latino users of Facebook and Instagram in the US. Latinos who use Spanish-language social media for news were found to be more susceptible to false political narratives, with a 11 percentage point increase in belief in these claims.
A new study reveals that Latino Facebook and Instagram users are significantly more vulnerable to political misinformation when consuming news in Spanish, compared to those using English. The research found a strong link between Spanish-language social media consumption and less informed election knowledge among Latinos.
A new study found that excessive social media use among 11-12-year-olds is associated with increased experimentation with substances like alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis. Schools and parents can play a crucial role in addressing this issue by implementing media literacy programs and monitoring content.
A new study suggests that individuals who deviate from their party norms are quickly treated as if they were a political enemy. The study found that posts which mentioned political opponents were consistently more toxic than mentions of political allies across nine countries.
Researchers will track thousands of 11-13 year olds and follow the same participants over decades to determine how digital media affects attitudes, behaviors and health. The study aims to understand the impact of digital media use on sleep quality and mental health in adolescents.
A new study by University of British Columbia researchers found that young people's mental health benefits from thoughtful social media management and intentional online interactions. The study showed that users who managed their online interactions more intentionally experienced reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
Researchers found decentralised social media like Mastodon increases citizen autonomy and empowers individuals and communities. Administrators identified benefits of user autonomy and inclusive digital spaces but faced challenges in moderating content and managing power dynamics.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that teenagers become more sensitive to threats after a few hours alone, regardless of digital connection. This increased threat response can lead to anxiety and unease, even in the presence of online interactions.
A survey of older adults with heart conditions found that their sexual health impacts mood and well-being, but most healthcare professionals do not offer this information. Patients favor conversations with healthcare professionals about sexual health, including topics like medication side effects and anxiety before sex.
A study published in Environmental Communication found that social media can harness public awareness and engagement to support wildlife conservation. The caracal, a small wild cat native to Africa, has gained popularity on Facebook and Instagram, leading to increased support for its conservation.
A recent study found that over a quarter of new mothers have fallen asleep while feeding their babies, increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Researchers are urging care providers to inform new moms about the potential risks and provide guidance on safe feeding practices.
Researchers found that X/Twitter's algorithm presents users with milder and less polarizing information than chronological timeline news. However, this has implications for the use of these platforms to find trustworthy news, as users question its credibility even when coming from legitimate sources.
A recent study by Ruhr-University Bochum found that 0.052% of Twitter accounts use AI-generated profile pictures, which are often linked to fake profiles spreading disinformation and propaganda. The researchers also found that these accounts had fewer followers and were more likely to be blocked by Twitter.
A new Australian study found that social media interactions are linked to muscle dysmorphia in young men, who experience small and weak bodies despite having a good physique. The study suggests that taking less notice of social media posts may help combat this issue, along with targeted mental health initiatives.
A new Curtin University study found that time spent on social media has a negligible effect on mental health indicators such as depression, anxiety, and stress. The research suggests that the relationship between social media use and mental health is complex, with some platforms having different effects on users.
The Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' two English journals, Advances in Atmospheric Sciences and Advances in Oceanic and Atmospheric Science Letters, achieved notable rankings for their international reach in the 2024 China English-Language Scientific Journal Overseas Media Influence Report. AAS ranke...
A study analyzing social media posts found fast food restaurants and sugar sweetened beverages are the most common, with millions of mentions reaching billions of users. The research argues that normalizing unhealthy eating in the digital environment contributes to obesity challenges worldwide.
The Ask the Experts series offers practical psychological insights to address common challenges, such as exam anxiety, supporting loved ones with dementia, and managing technology use. The books provide clear advice grounded in science and easy to apply.
A systematic review found that exposure to social media posts depicting ideal muscular male bodies is directly linked to a negative body image and greater odds of resorting to anabolic-androgenic steroid use. Men are also under pressure to be physically strong, which is intrinsically linked to masculinity.
A new study published in npj Complexity found that the 2020 U.S. election drew online hate communities closer together, inciting new hate content around immigration, ethnicity, and antisemitism. The research team developed an 'online telescope' to map the online hate universe at unprecedented scale and resolution.
A new grant will investigate the role of social media in teen e-cigarette and cigarette use. Researchers will analyze social influences, particularly through online networks, to understand how teens are influenced to smoke and use e-cigarettes. The study aims to develop effective interventions to reduce nicotine product use among teens.
A study analyzing 1.7 million tweets found that malicious bots accounted for 22% of messages, spreading misinformation and negative attitudes towards vaccines. Regular bots often align with governmental messaging to enhance credibility, while malicious bots employ deceptive tactics.
Research highlights social media's impact on youth mental health, including associations between excessive social media use and suicidal thoughts. The study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions and policy changes to address this growing concern among young people.
Research suggests young people are more sensitive to social media feedback than adults, impacting their mood and engagement. The study proposes changing platform incentives and developing emotion regulation skills to address negative effects.
Researchers found that the brain's language comprehension system can detect the basic structure of a short sentence in roughly 150 milliseconds, similar to visual scene perception. This rapid processing capacity suggests that our brains may be able to make snap decisions based on quick messages.
Researchers propose a bi-threshold model to explain the decline of trends and information sharing, identifying two adoption thresholds for behaviors. The model outperformed traditional linear threshold models in testing with Twitter conversations around the Higgs boson and Weibo discussions on COVID-19 vaccinations.
A new study by Florida Atlantic University explores the experiences of harm in the metaverse among US youth, finding that 33% of teens own a VR device and 13% use it weekly. The study reveals significant percentages of youth reporting hate speech, bullying, harassment, and grooming behaviors.
Researchers found that verified users with entrenched opinions can trigger echo chambers, while centrist ideologues may actually facilitate consensus. The study used a computational model to simulate how people post and receive messages on social media platforms.
A new study by Zhejiang University highlights the disproportionate health challenges faced by sexual and gender-diverse individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. SGD individuals experienced higher rates of COVID-19 symptoms and mental health issues compared to non-SGD users, according to a large-scale social media analysis.
A study analyzing Reddit posts reveals that breast cancer patients struggle with unmet emotional and financial concerns during treatment and long after. The research highlights the importance of providing adequate support and education to address these concerns.
Dr. Wai Hong Lo, PhD, has been appointed as the new Editor-in-Chief of ASSAY and Drug Development Technologies, succeeding Dr. Bruce Melancon. Dr. Lo aims to enhance online accessibility, incorporate visuals, and increase social media engagement to reach a broader audience.
Researchers found that Democrats and Republicans generally agree on what to censor when it comes to hate speech, with both parties prioritizing similar targets and severity levels. The study's findings suggest that social media companies can find consensus policies that get broad support, even in a highly polarized era.
A new study highlights the need for educational psychologists to engage with TikTok to address self-diagnosis of mental health and neurodiversity conditions. The platform's vast amount of inaccurate content can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate self-assessment, emphasizing the importance of raising accurate content.
A new Multi-task Learning (MTL) model detects 85% of abusive posts originating from right-leaning individuals on social media platforms.
A study by the University of the Basque Country found that YouTube videos created by medical professionals, patient associations, and individual survivors offer a wealth of knowledge and emotional support. The analysis also revealed a strong sense of community and sisterhood among viewers who share and appreciate valuable information.
Researchers found a 'confrontation effect' where people are more likely to engage with opposing viewpoints driven by outrage. The study analyzed data from Twitter and Facebook during the 2020 US presidential election, revealing users often react to opposing views with heightened engagement.
Researchers found that adopting popular brand nicknames can be detrimental to a company's performance, as it implies consumer control. This is because brand nicknames are often used by consumers, which can make the brand appear weaker when adopted by marketers.
A study by UC San Francisco found that more screen time is associated with severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, inattention, and aggression in 9-10 year olds. The effects were small but consistent, with activities like video chatting and playing video games strongly linked to depressive symptoms.
Researchers explore the influence of digital resources on autobiographical memory, highlighting its potential benefits, such as supporting people with memory difficulties, and risks, like manipulation through deepfakes. The study aims to better understand the interplay between recorded data and memories stored in our minds.
A new species of clearwing moth has been identified from specimens found by a traveler returning from Guyana to the UK. The discovery was made possible through community science efforts involving a young ecologist and a photographer, leading to DNA sequencing and identification as Carmenta brachyclados.
Researchers found that people rate AI-generated headlines as less accurate and share them less, regardless of truthfulness. The effect is smaller than labeling false content, suggesting skepticism due to assumptions of full AI automation.
A new MIT Sloan research found that conservative users share misinformation at a greater volume than liberal users, explaining why conservatives are suspended more frequently. Conservative Twitter users shared four times more links to low-quality news outlets than liberal users.
A pre-registered experiment found that seven nudges aimed at reducing hateful speech online had no effect, but unexpectedly increased engagement with harmless posts. The study recruited over 4,000 Americans and showed participants one of the nudges before engaging with a website featuring varied content.
A study analyzing 1.6 million social media posts found that Ukrainian solidarity posts received significantly more online engagement than derogatory posts about Russia. After the invasion, posts celebrating unity gained a 92% increase on Facebook and a 68% increase on Twitter.
A new INSEAD study finds that the #MeToo movement led to a significant decrease in demand for high-heeled shoes and stockouts of stereotypically feminine products. The researchers surveyed over 1,000 women in the US and found a rebellion against traditional gender stereotypes drove this shift.
A new study published in PNAS Nexus reveals that users with extreme political views are more likely to both encounter and believe false news on social media. The researchers used Twitter data and surveys to estimate exposure and belief in articles, finding that early interventions can be effective in reducing the spread of misinformation.