Social Media

A recent study investigated how deactivating Facebook and Instagram before the 2020 U.S. presidential election affected political knowledge, attitudes, and behavior.

A study found that young women who took a one-week break from social media experienced significantly higher self-esteem and body image, especially those prone to thin-ideal internalization, highlighting the mental health benefits of temporary social media detoxes.

New research suggests the strongest signals of romantic commitment on social media come from actions that counter attractive alternatives, highlighting the importance of eliminating negative influences over simply posting about or liking a partner's content.

Reducing social media use to one hour per day for three weeks significantly improved mental health in young adults experiencing emotional distress, with decreases in depression, anxiety, and fear of missing out, along with better sleep quality.

Following health influencers is associated with more vigorous exercise and higher fruit and vegetable intake but also increased distress, especially among those following food- and diet-related influencers.

A study revealed that 61% of German drivers use their smartphones while driving. Those with a higher fear of missing out, problematic smartphone habits, or Dark Triad personality traits—narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy—are especially prone to this risky behavior.

Social media use among adolescents does not impair social skills and is linked to increased offline interactions with friends, according to new research.

A four-week intervention with over 500 college students reduced social media addiction by encouraging reflection, goal-setting, and personalized strategies.

A study in Nature reveals that online conversations become more toxic over time across all social media platforms, regardless of the topic or platform specifics. Surprisingly, this toxicity does not deter user engagement but rather seems to sustain it.

A new study has found that women who view themselves as objects are more likely to respond negatively to other women's selfies, particularly when they believe those selfies are posted for attention.

A recent study found that people are more likely to share information that aligns with their beliefs, even if it's not surprising, challenging the idea that novelty and surprise primarily drive sharing behavior.

A study reveals that nearly half of TikTok's sinusitis-related videos contain misinformation, mostly propagated by non-medical influencers. This poses risks as viewers may turn to ineffective treatments instead of seeking professional medical advice.

Viewing sexualized images of peers on social media heightens self-objectification and dehumanization among young women, according to new research.

New research suggests that radicalization is driven more by emotional pathways than mere misinformation. Analyzing accounts from former radicals, the study identifies stages of radicalization and emphasizes early, empathetic interventions over traditional fact-checking to prevent extreme actions.

New research has found that extreme or eccentric views on social media attract more likes and engagement, suggesting a cycle where radical ideas are rewarded, potentially increasing polarization and shaping public discourse more than moderate views.