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 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.
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 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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
Researchers analyzed 109 TikTok videos on 'chroming', a trend involving inhalant abuse among teens, revealing permanent markers as the most common item used. The study highlights the risks of chroming, including addiction and death, and calls for social media companies to prevent its spread.
A retrospective study found that 7% of teens who disclosed sexual abuse reported social media was used to facilitate the assault. When accounting for unrelated perpetrators, this number increased to 12%. Social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat were commonly reported as facilitators.
A team of researchers from UMass Amherst debunks the idea that Facebook's algorithms successfully filtered out untrustworthy news during the 2020 election. The study found that temporary changes to the algorithm were not accounted for, leading to misperceptions about the platform's reliability.
A new study by North Carolina State University found that Black women who witness online microaggressions are more likely to experience poor sleep quality. The study suggests that health practitioners should consider a patient's stress experiences related to sex and race when treating sleep disorders.
Researchers analyzed over 6,400 tweets from young male Twitter users and found that posts using humor to stigmatize people or promote risky behaviors received more attention. The study's findings suggest that understanding how at-risk populations discuss HIV on social media can help design effective health campaigns to reach them.
Scientists analyzed millions of tweets to detect early warning signs of PTSD in COVID-19 survivors, achieving an accuracy rate of 83.29%. The study highlights the potential for machine learning techniques to identify individuals at risk of PTSD through social media data.
A new study published in Communications Psychology found that older adults (60+ years) are more susceptible to social influence when making impulsive financial decisions. In contrast, younger adults tend to stick to their original preference even after seeing others opt for the impulsive option.
A recent study found that national politics predominantly use abstract, moralized, and power-centric language, lacking local common ground. This shift is thought to fuel partisan animosity and provoke anger.
A study analyzing 200 'fitspiration' videos on TikTok found that most presented incorrect or harmful information, promoting idealised views of body types and triggering negative body image issues. The content often featured sexualisation, body shaming, and excessive dieting, with most influencers lacking credible health qualifications.
A cross-sectional study found that 87% of Instagram posts from synthetic nicotine brand accounts failed to comply with FDA health warning requirements. This non-compliance may contribute to increased youth engagement with tobacco marketing.
A new study by Boston University researchers found that the majority of social media posts from e-cigarette brands left out health warnings, despite a federal requirement to include them. The study used AI to analyze over 2,000 Instagram posts and discovered that only 13% complied with FDA health warning requirements.
A new study recommends that influencers promoting sustainable lifestyles on social media be differently regulated to better protect consumers. The current EU consumer protection measures are inadequate, and the proposed changes would provide more legal certainty and facilitate additional training for content creators.
A new study finds that excessive social media use is associated with a higher risk of eating disorder symptoms in 9-14-year-olds, including binge eating and distress over weight gain. Problematic screen use may contribute to unhealthy behaviors and addictive tendencies.
A psychology study finds that framing climate action as a way to protect American values and traditions can increase belief in climate change and support for pro-environmental policies among both liberals and conservatives. The study, which analyzed data from 50,000 participants across 60 countries, suggests that messaging that aligns ...
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health used a novel interview method to assess New Yorkers' perceptions on energy insecurity, a public health issue. The study found that energy insecurity is associated with health vulnerabilities and impacts nearly 30% of NYC residents.
A study of UK-based Twitter tweets found that the top 1% of users generated 23% of anti-immigration content, with anti-immigration tweets spreading 1.66 times faster than pro-immigration ones. This concentration of power among a few users highlights the need for efforts to curb online hate content.
Researchers found that partnerships between governments, non-profits and social media influencers are crucial for effective communication during crises. Influencers can help amplify targeted messages to reach isolated or minority groups with high levels of trust.
A recent survey found that phone use at night negatively impacts teenage mental health, particularly among those who have been cyberbullied. Approximately 66% of girls and 58% of boys reported being cyberbullied, with stress levels in the moderate-to-severe range reported by 38% of girls and 23% of boys.
Researchers analyzed 650 million tweets to identify new words and tracked their adoption. Words used by central users persisted longer, while those with less central positions had a rapid rise and decline. The study reveals the predictive power of social network position in shaping language.
New research shows that social media fact-checking warning labels are broadly effective at reducing belief in and spreading of misinformation, even among those who distrust fact-checkers. The study found that warning labels can significantly reduce false headlines' accuracy ratings and willingness to share, regardless of participants' ...
Researchers found that large language models (LLMs) can improve systems that detect bots by outperforming state-of-the-art systems by 9%. However, LLMs can also reduce the performance of existing detectors by up to 30% when used to evade automated detection.
A new study from Texas McCombs finds that accumulating 'likes' can lead to fewer clicks for assertive CTA ads, but more clicks for informational ads. The researchers discovered that users respond positively to 'likes' from friends with similar interests, while those with dissimilar interests have a negative effect.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found associations between depression and unhealthy commodities such as alcohol, tobacco, gambling, social media, ultra-processed foods, and air pollution. The review also highlighted links between these commodities and suicide, self-harm, and anxiety.