Social Media

Scientists have found that belief polarization doesn’t always come from misinformation or social media bubbles. Instead, it often begins with a simple search. Our choice of words—and the algorithm’s response—can subtly seal us inside our own informational comfort zones.

Frequent use of platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts is linked to disordered eating symptoms among teens, according to new research. The study found that body comparisons and dissatisfaction may help explain this troubling association—especially among girls.

Researchers have identified connections between obsessive thoughts about relationships, emotional closeness, and habits like social media addiction and striving for perfection. The findings highlight risk factors that can deepen doubt and tension in romantic connections, especially when conflict is present.

People who rely on social media to “stumble upon” news are more prone to spreading misinformation, according to a new longitudinal study.

A new study finds that surges in visual propaganda—like memes and doctored images—often precede political violence. By combining AI with expert analysis, researchers tracked manipulated content leading up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, revealing early warning signs of instability.

A new study finds that TikTok-style “edits” portraying politicians as attractive or powerful can sway public perceptions, boosting attractiveness and favorability—especially for Donald Trump. These videos may signal a shift in how political influence is crafted and consumed.

Teens who score higher in extraversion, narcissism, and dramatic emotional expression are more likely to want to be influencers, according to a new study. The findings suggest that personality shapes how young people see their future in the digital age.

New research shows that teens who spend more than two hours a day on screens—especially passively scrolling through content—are more likely to report anxiety and emotional or behavioral problems, even when accounting for age, gender, and existing vulnerabilities.

A new study reveals that U.S. state legislators who posted false or inflammatory content during times of political turmoil sometimes gained online visibility—especially Republicans spreading low-credibility claims. But uncivil language often had the opposite effect, particularly for extremists.

Analyzing millions of tweets, researchers found that misinformation is strongly linked to radical-right populist parties—not populism in general or partisan politics alone.

TikTok’s popular fitness hashtags are flooded with idealized bodies, objectifying imagery, and questionable health advice, according to a recent study.

As attention spans shrink, storytelling — and truth — may be the greatest casualties of digital culture.

Spending more time on screens after bedtime is associated with shorter sleep and a higher chance of insomnia, researchers report.

Despite spending more time online, deprived adolescents aren't more negatively affected by social media use, according to a decade-long UK study of over 23,000 teenagers.

Social media use—active or passive—predicts a steady rise in loneliness, according to a decade-long study.