Social Media

Instagram posts tagged with #SexPositivity often promote objectification, narrow beauty standards, and commercial branding more than sexual empowerment, according to research published in Sex Roles.

A recent study of over two million tweets suggests members of Congress are increasingly using angry rhetoric on social media. Researchers found that Democratic lawmakers are disproportionately driving this trend of digital outrage to build their political brands.

Social media is often blamed for toxic political debates, but a new global study links digital aggression to offline issues. Researchers found that users in less democratic and economically unequal countries report experiencing significantly more online hostility.

A daily diary study found that people with high attachment anxiety experience a spike in depression and a drop in self-esteem on days when their partner pays more attention to their phone than to them.

Brain imaging reveals that young women who self-harm possess a distinct neurological vulnerability online. Unlike healthy peers, their brain's reward centers become highly engaged by negative comments, a trait that correlates with problematic social media use.

A new study reveals that receiving downvotes on Reddit doesn't silence users or drive them into echo chambers. Instead, negative feedback encourages them to post more frequently while softening the emotional tone of their subsequent comments.

A new study of TikTok’s algorithm reveals a distinct political imbalance. During the 2024 election, the platform consistently exposed users to more conservative and anti-Democratic videos, regardless of their initial political interests or engagement habits.

A new study finds that liberals are less likely to share progressive causes on social media if the messages use conservative-leaning moral language, while conservatives readily share causes they support regardless of how they are worded.

Endless short videos can ruin your sleep, but exhaustion might also drive you to keep scrolling. A new study reveals how daytime tiredness acts as a gateway symptom, trapping users in a powerful cycle of media consumption.

Are social media users really as toxic as they seem? A massive new study suggests otherwise, finding that while Americans believe nearly half of all users post hateful content, the true number is actually less than ten percent.

A comprehensive review of thousands of study participants reveals that temporarily quitting social media doesn't routinely boost happiness or lower stress. Researchers suggest that totally disconnecting might not be the most effective way to improve mental wellness.

A recent study suggests problematic social media use alters how feelings of freedom relate to mental well-being. Heavy digital habits are linked to weaker mental health benefits from personal freedom, but stronger psychological benefits from national pride.

A new study reveals that feeling morally angry makes you more likely to share misinformation online. Researchers found that anger causes people to act impulsively and ignore source credibility, fueling the rapid spread of fake news.

A new study suggests that excessive short video consumption connects to a sequence of psychological challenges. Problematic use of platforms like TikTok predicts higher loneliness and elevated anxiety, which are associated with lower overall life satisfaction.