Research on social media and its effects on people. Covers sleep and mood, body image, self-objectification, and the platforms' wider social impact.
A new study at the University of Toronto reveals a significant association between photo filter use and increased symptoms of muscle dysmorphia among adolescents and young adults. The research found that frequent use of photo filters is linked to greater muscle dissatisfaction and overall muscle dysmorphia symptoms, particularly among ...
A recent study analyzing 300,000 X posts found that 48 US states have a more positive than negative tone towards nuclear energy, with a national average at 54% positive. Concerns about waste, cost, and safety dominate negative sentiment, while technology themes fuel positive sentiments highlighting innovations and job creation.
Researchers found that restricting screens in bedrooms and at mealtimes has the biggest impact on reducing screen time and addictive behavior. Parents who model healthy practices at home also see a decrease in their child's screen use. Limiting and monitoring screen time can reduce usage by 1.29 hours and 0.83 hours, respectively.
A study found that banning 70,000 false information traffickers on Twitter reduced the number of misinformation posts by users who stayed on the platform. The study also showed that many misinformation traffickers left Twitter after being de-platformed, resulting in a spillover effect that reduced circulation on the platform.
Researchers discuss Ibrutinib, a BTK inhibitor approved for chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment, noting 20-25% of patients experience dose-limiting cardiovascular toxicities. A recent study identifies genetic biomarkers, such as KCNQ1 and GATA4, associated with cardiotoxic events, which may improve risk stratification.
A new study found that 29 out of 35 unique sleep tips shared on TikTok have empirical support, with six unsupported by scientific evidence. The research suggests that the public is learning appropriate sleep hygiene tips through social media.
Researchers analyzed 30 Nextdoor neighborhoods and found that information sharing indicates social capital formation, while discussions on suspicious persons may prompt biased behavior by law enforcement. The study contributes to understanding the digital media ecosystem's relationship with local communities and civic life.
A recent study from the University of Toronto analyzed data from 912 participants aged 16-30 and found that nearly 60% used protein bars and over half used whey protein powders. The study highlights alarming symptoms, including fatigue, digestive issues, and cardiovascular problems, with only 9.8% perceiving their use as problematic.
A new study by OHSU and Lines for Life finds that a crisis intervention program using social media to monitor youth can deter suicidal behavior. The Safe Social Spaces program has avoided 163 instances of self-harm through supportive dialogue with over 3,000 young people.
A new study found a strong correlation between social media usage and sleep duration in adolescents, with specific areas of the brain involved. The research suggests that digital engagement and poor sleep quality can alter neural reward sensitivity, potentially affecting adolescent brain development.
A study published in World Psychiatry found that the content we consume online has a greater impact on our health than the amount of time spent online. The report highlights the importance of taking an individualised approach to how the Internet affects mental health, cognition and social functioning.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that cross-partisan discussions were more common on mainstream news outlets than political vlogs, regardless of political leaning. Neutral news outlets like C-SPAN hosted a balanced number of conservative and liberal comments.
York University Professor Gordon Flett highlights the importance of mattering in preventing youth suicide, linking it to feelings of being seen and heard. He argues that excessive social media use can exacerbate anti-mattering feelings, which are a key risk factor for youth suicidal ideation.
New research reveals how social media has supported an explosion of diversity in gender and sexuality in America, enabling self-expression and authenticity. Online platforms like Tumblr, TikTok, and Twitter have created new cultural narratives around gender identity, bisexuality, asexuality, and intersectionality.
A study by MIT researchers found that the general public and policymakers take social media posts from world leaders just as seriously as traditional government statements. The research surveyed over 977 people about crisis signals in international relations, including tweets and official press releases. The results suggest that people...
Researchers found 45% of TikTok videos promoting age-verification-free sales, highlighting a loophole in local and federal laws. Small business owners used hashtag challenges like #discreetshipping to circumvent regulations, selling products via Instagram or Telegram.
The study highlights the importance of protease-activated receptors (PARs) in cancer growth and development, with PH-binding motifs identified as a key platform for drug design. The researchers suggest that targeting PARs could provide an alternative to current oncogenic pathways.
Research found that 50.4% of TikTok videos advertised popular vaping brands and 45% included cannabis products. Vendors evade age restrictions by creating 'puffbundles' with non-vaping items, making it easy for minors to purchase e-cigarettes.
A new study by the University of Essex suggests that watching online stars like Zoella and PewDiePie can be more emotionally fulfilling than talking to casual friends. The research found that parasocial relationships with YouTubers offer positive reinforcement, despite not being able to respond. People of all ages reported feeling a st...
A new study reveals that preteens are using online dating apps at an alarming rate, with LGB adolescents being 13 times more likely to report engagement. The study also found that preteen boys spend more time on screens than girls, highlighting the need for guidance and media literacy programs to mitigate risks.
Researchers identify superspreaders of low-credibility content on Twitter, including political pundits and low-credibility media outlets that spread toxic language. The study suggests that these individuals and groups are overlooked by Twitter's algorithm despite being more effective at spreading misinformation.
A study of young people in contact with mental health services found that half met criteria for problematic smartphone use. The study also revealed high levels of sleep disturbance and self-harm among the participants.
Researchers found that GZ17-6.02 killed uveal melanoma cells by enhancing autophagy, inactivating key proteins, and reducing growth factors. The compound also interacted with doxorubicin and ERBB inhibitors to enhance tumor cell killing, suggesting potential as a single agent or combination therapy.
A recent Finnish study found that teenage girls spend close to 6 hours a day on their smartphones, with a significant proportion likely addicted to social media. This has been associated with poorer health and wellbeing, as well as increased anxiety and lower self-esteem.
A University of Leeds academic argues that changes to word definitions are causing 'hermeneutical disarmament', leaving people without specific words to describe useful concepts. This phenomenon is particularly concerning when it affects specific phenomena like emotional abuse and women's work.
A new scale, SMNS, measures social media's impact on nightmares, finding a link between excessive social media use and negative mental health outcomes. The study suggests that responsible social media use can help mitigate the occurrence of social media-related nightmares.
USC researchers have developed machine learning models to identify coordinated inauthentic behaviors on X, involving tactics like co-retweeting and text similarity. The fused network approach leverages topological properties of the network to classify accounts and predict their future participation in influence campaigns.
Research found that distractions while engaging in hedonic activities lead to lower enjoyment and satisfaction, resulting in overconsumption. Participants who were distracted during lunch reported lower enjoyment and satisfaction, which was associated with increased snacking later in the day.
Research found that children and young people who spend more than 7 hours a day on social media are more likely to smoke, vape, or do both. The study suggests that social media platforms' marketing clout and addictive nature contribute to the increased risk.
A new interface developed by researchers at the University of Sydney aims to reduce the spread of misinformation on social media. The tool adds a 'more information' button to posts, linking users to details about retracted science claims, which can help them make informed decisions about their health.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated technology adoption among older adults, who used it to maintain social relationships. Researchers found that these adults not only received but also provided emotional, financial, and physical support through technology.
Researchers found cyclin D1 expression in patients with penile cancer (PC) is associated with clinical and histopathological features. Patients with cyclin D1 expression had lower disease-free survival compared to the cyclin D1-negative group.
A UBC study reveals that Facebook Marketplace users are concerned about physical and financial safety, as well as their own well-being when trading with strangers. Despite these risks, many participants continued to use the platform due to its simplicity and wide audience reach.
A new Italian study has found that people living with obesity often conceal their bodies in WhatsApp profile pictures, indicating potential body dysmorphic disorder. The study suggests that such images could provide valuable insights into patients' psychological states.
The European Association for the Study of Obesity highlights TikTok's potential in addressing childhood obesity. Analysis of Dr Anthos' TikTok account reveals popular videos on obesity medication and stigma combating, with live Q&A sessions generating significant discussion.
Researchers found that taking a break from Facebook and Instagram in the weeks leading up to the 2020 presidential election had little effect on people's political views or negative opinions of opposing parties. However, users who were off Facebook were worse at answering news quiz questions but less likely to fall for misinformation.
A new study found that transgender preteens reported 13 hours of daily recreational screen time, which was 4.5 hours more than their cisgender peers. The researchers highlight the importance of managing the risks associated with excessive screen use for this vulnerable population.
Researchers discuss therapeutic opportunities for hypermutated urothelial carcinomas that are resistant to immunotherapy, including the potential of targeted therapies. High TMB is associated with defects in mismatch repair proteins and can lead to increased sensitivity to cancer treatments.
Generative artificial intelligence and social media can erode capacities for creative thinking and problem-solving, foster feelings of hopelessness, and reduce attention on the climate crisis. Researchers are calling for a cautious review of generative AI to mitigate its indirect impacts on climate change.
Researchers analyzed 183 million Parler posts and 702 million Twitter posts to find that users gravitate toward popular opinion and away from dissenting views, leading to polarization. The study highlights the importance of balancing social media's benefits with mitigating its drawbacks.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that people in Europe primarily consume trustworthy news, but a small percentage rely on questionable sources. The ratio of questionable news to reliable news consumption differs between countries, highlighting the need for context-specific approaches to fighting misinformation.
A new study found no correlation between increased social media use and decreased interaction with friends offline, contrary to previous assumptions. Children with symptoms of social anxiety who used social media excessively were at risk of developing poorer social skills.
A University at Buffalo researcher found that Truth Social was as effective as Twitter in driving news attention for Donald Trump, despite its smaller user base. However, journalists embedded Trump's posts less frequently on Truth Social than on Twitter.
A new study from York University found that young women who took a one-week social media break experienced significant improvements in self-esteem and body image. The study, which recruited 66 first-year female undergraduates, suggests that online exposure to idealized images creates 'infinite' opportunities for comparison, leading to ...
A study found a significant increase in negative tweets about vaccines after COVID-19 jabs became available, coinciding with government and healthcare announcements. The researchers argue that a new approach is needed to address negative messaging, avoiding terms like 'anti-vaxxers'.
Researchers argue that mobility data can help understand human-wildlife interactions and inform policy decisions on sustainability-related issues. They propose aggregating datasets without personal identifiers to make them accessible to researchers, benefiting both conservation and private companies.
Associate Professor Siouxsie Wiles collaborated with cartoonist Toby Morris to create digestible graphics about COVID-19, reducing transmission chains and promoting public measures. However, she faced abusive messages and personal attacks, highlighting the need for adequate support from employers.
A new study published in JAMA found X's Community Notes resulted in hundreds-of-millions of views of accurate and credible COVID-19 vaccine education, suggesting considerable potential for correcting misinformation. The notes typically addressed obvious misinformation, offering corrections from credible sources.
A study by Uppsala University found that a computer game called Bad News improved students' ability to identify manipulative techniques in social media posts and distinguish reliable from misleading news. The game, played individually or in groups, had positive effects on students' critical thinking skills.
Researchers found that participants who followed healthy eating Instagram accounts ate an extra 1.4 portions of fruit and vegetables per day, compared to those in the control group. The study suggests that exposure to positive social norms on social media can encourage higher consumption of fruit and vegetables.
A new study published in Addictive Behaviors found that frequent social media use among US youth is associated with a higher risk of tobacco initiation. Youth who engaged with tobacco marketing on social media platforms were more likely to start using tobacco products, highlighting the need for regulation and education.
A study found that subtle differences in social media messages can influence young people's beliefs about depression and anxiety. Participants who read growth mindset tweets were more optimistic about treatment, while those reading fixed mindset tweets felt the conditions were more stable.
A recent study analyzed health information on TikTok to identify trends in video quality, finding that nearly half of the videos contained non-factual information. The researchers also found that non-medical influencers were more likely to produce misleading content, which can lead to detrimental health outcomes.
Researchers at MIT designed a communication system called LiTweeture that allows users to selectively reveal verified aspects of their identity, reducing social inhibition and encouraging junior academics to participate in public discourse. This approach has the potential to be applied to any community or discussion space.
A study found that almost 17% of adolescents experience weight-related bullying online, with the highest rates reported by Twitter users. The survey also revealed a strong association between screen time, social media use, and weight-related bullying, with a 13% increase in bullying for every additional hour of screen time.
A new study by a multi-disciplinary team suggests that including social media visuals on screen undermines the purpose of presidential primary debates. The researchers found that competing visual stimuli may distract viewers from what is being said, hindering learning outcomes.
A new study by RMIT University found that only over a third of media organizations have an image-specific AI policy in place, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines. The research highlights the challenges of navigating generative AI technologies in visual journalism, including algorithmic bias and copyright concerns.
Researchers found that congruent messages and emojis in social media advertising increase user attention and reduce cognitive effort, while emphasizing gastronomy and natural environment over conventional aspects. This shift suggests a preference for nature-based tourism.
Researchers discovered MIA-602's effectiveness against Doxorubicin-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML), demonstrating reduced cell viability and tumor volume. The study suggests MIA-602 as a potential alternative treatment approach for AML, potentially circumventing chemotherapy side effects.
A new study from China found that higher GDP per capita and lower income inequality are associated with increased subjective well-being. However, when income inequality becomes too high, the link between economy and mental health disappears. The researchers advocate for a balanced approach to economic planning.