The impact of social media usage on algorithmic literacy among Chinese adults

ObjectivesWe test whether higher awareness of age-related gains (AARC-gains), lower awareness of age-related losses (AARC-losses), and more positive attitudes toward own aging (ATOA) are cross-sectionally related to more frequent social media use. We also investigate the strength and direction of the associations of AARC-gains, AARC-losses, and ATOA with social media use over 1 year, from before to after the onset of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic.MethodsWe used cross-sectional data from 8,320 individuals (mean age = 65.95 years; standard deviation = 7.01) and longitudinal data from a subsample of 4,454 individuals participating in the UK PROTECT study in 2019 and 2020. We used ordered regression models, linear regression models, and tests of interaction. Models were adjusted for age, sex, education, and employment.ResultsHigher AARC-gains and more positive ATOA, but not AARC-losses, were cross-sectionally associated with more frequent social media use. Social media use became more frequent at follow-up. In the longitudinal models controlling for baseline levels of the outcome variable, more frequent baseline social media use predicted increases in AARC-gains, whereas baseline AARC-gains did not significantly predict the frequency of social media use at follow-up. Baseline frequency of social media use did not significantly predict AARC-losses, nor ATOA at follow-up, whereas lower levels of AARC-losses and more positive ATOA predicted more frequent social media use at follow-up.DiscussionAlthough effect sizes were small, decreasing negative views on aging may help increase the engagement of middle-aged and older people with social media. At the same time, fostering social media use could promote positive self-perceptions of aging.

Social media use, cannabis attitudes, and cannabis use among adolescents: An observational study

Social media has become a pervasive presence in everyday life, including among youths. In 2023, for the first time, CDC's nationally representative Youth Risk Behavior Survey included an item assessing U.S. high school students' frequency of social media use. Data from this survey were used to estimate the prevalence of frequent social media use (i.e., used social media at least several times a day) among high school students and associations between frequent social media use and experiences with bullying victimization, persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and suicide risk. All prevalence estimates and measures of association used Taylor series linearization. Prevalence ratios were calculated using logistic regression with predicted marginals. Overall, 77.0% of students reported frequent social media use, with observed differences by sex, sexual identity, and racial and ethnic identity. Frequent social media use was associated with a higher prevalence of bullying victimization at school and electronically, persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and some suicide risk among students (considering attempting suicide and having made a suicide plan), both overall and in stratified models. This analysis characterizes the potential harms of frequent social media use for adolescent health among a nationally representative sample of U.S. high school students. Findings might support multisectoral efforts to create safer digital environments for youths, including decision-making about social media policies, practices, and protections.

IntroductionDespite the increasing popularity of social media, little research has been conducted on its impact on lifestyle behaviors and health outcomes among adults. This study aimed to investigate whether more frequent social media screen time use is associated with poorer lifestyle behaviors, overweight or obesity, and depressive symptoms. Additionally, this study examined the potential use of social media to positively influence health.MethodsAn anonymous one‐time survey was conducted among English‐speaking social media users aged 18–34 in Southern California. Self‐reported height and weight were used to calculate body mass index (BMI), and the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) was used to estimate the severity of depressive symptoms. A cumulative risk score for lifestyle behaviors was also tallied. Three focus groups were held with a subset of the survey population to gain insights on social media, lifestyle behaviors, and health. A mixed method analysis was used to analyze the data.ResultsThe survey data of 86 complete cases showed a positive correlation (r = 0.421; p < 0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.223, 0.585]) among PHQ‐9 depression scores and negative correlation (r = −0.230; p = 0.033; 95% CI [−0.426, −0.12]) for BMI compared to actual social media screen time usage, respectively. However, social media screen time usage ≥3 h showed no association for either BMI, depressive symptoms, or cumulative risk score. Participants viewed social media as a “double‐edged sword,” providing benefits such as “connection” and “information sharing,” but also having a negative impact on mental health (theme 1). Participants also believed public health needs to take a more proactive role in using social media, while social media platforms should manage the “authenticity” of content and modify their “algorithms” to improve health and lifestyle practices (theme 2).ConclusionsThis study suggested that social media may have some protective benefits related to becoming overweight or obese as indicated by the focus group participants, but further research is needed on the relationship between social media screen time usage and adult mental health. Social media platforms may have the potential to promote positive lifestyle behaviors and improve health if used properly.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of social media usage on consumer decision-making in e-commerce platforms in Malawi. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study indicated a significant impact of social media usage on consumer decision-making within e-commerce platforms. One notable finding is the influence of social media platforms in shaping consumer preferences and purchase behaviors. For instance, consumers often turn to social media channels to seek product recommendations, reviews, and testimonials from peers or influencers they trust. Moreover, social media platforms provide a space for e-commerce businesses to engage with their audience through targeted advertising, promotions, and interactive content, thereby influencing purchasing decisions. Additionally, the viral nature of social media enables the rapid spread of information about products and brands, amplifying their visibility and influencing consumer perceptions. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social influence theory, technology acceptance model and social cognitive theory may be used to anchor future studies on assessing the impact of social media usage on consumer decision-making in e-commerce platforms in Malawi. Businesses should prioritize authenticity, transparency, and consumer engagement in their social media marketing strategies. Policymakers should consider regulatory measures to ensure transparency and accountability in social media advertising practices.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of social media usage on body image perception among adolescents in Malawi. Materials and Methods: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Exposure to idealized images and content often leads to body dissatisfaction and lower self-esteem. Adolescents frequently compare themselves to the highly curated and often edited images they see online, which can create unrealistic expectations and negative self-perception. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced among young girls, who are more likely to internalize societal beauty standards perpetuated by social media. Additionally, the constant feedback loop of likes and comments can exacerbate concerns about appearance, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. However, study suggest that positive social media interactions and exposure to body-positive content can mitigate these negative effects, highlighting the nuanced relationship between social media and body image. Overall, while social media offers opportunities for connection and self-expression, it also poses significant risks to adolescents' body image and mental health. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social comparison theory, objectification theory and uses and gratifications theory may be used to anchor future studies on assessing the impact of social media usage on body image perception among adolescents in Malawi. Educational institutions should implement media literacy programs that equip adolescents with critical thinking skills to navigate social media content effectively. Policymakers and regulatory bodies should work with social media platforms to enforce content moderation policies that restrict the promotion of harmful content related to body image, such as extreme dieting, beauty stereotypes, and body shaming.

Academic achievement shapes future opportunities, and social media significantly influences this. Despite its growing prominence, social media's specific effects on high school students’ academic outcomes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, remain unexplored. This study fills this gap by examining how social media usage relates to academic performance, study habits, study time, and perceived benefits among 402 high school students (283 males, 118 females) from 12 public and private schools. Employing a quantitative survey design, we used a "Social Media and Academic Achievement of Students" questionnaire adapted from Peter (2015). The findings reveal that sharing academic information with classmates on social media significantly enhances academic performance. However, social media usage showed no statistically significant effects on study habits and time allocation. Additionally, students reported moderate benefits from using social media for academic purposes. These results emphasize integrating social media in education to enhance student engagement and performance, and underscore the need for effective time management to manage distractions. The study's limitations include its regional focus and the self-reported nature of the data. Future research should explore these dynamics in different regions and with varied methodologies to further validate these findings.

Social media have become the source of choice for many users to search for health information on COVID-19 despite possible detrimental consequences. Several studies have analyzed the association between health information-searching behavior and mental health. Some of these studies examined users' intentions in searching health information on social media and the impact of social media use on mental health in Indonesia. This study investigates both active and passive participation in social media, shedding light on cofounding effects from these different forms of engagement. In addition, this study analyses the role of trust in social media platforms and its effect on public health outcomes. Thus, the purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of social media usage on COVID-19 protective behavior in Indonesia. The most commonly used social media platforms are Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter. We used primary data from an online survey. We processed 414 answers to a structured questionnaire to evaluate the relationship between these users' active and passive participation in social media, trust in social media, anxiety, self-efficacy, and protective behavior to COVID-19. We modeled the data using partial least square structural equation modeling. This study reveals that social media trust is a crucial antecedent, where trust in social media is positively associated with active contribution and passive consumption of COVID-19 content in social media, users' anxiety, self-efficacy, and protective behavior. This study found that active contribution of content related to COVID-19 on social media is positively correlated with anxiety, while passive participation increases self-efficacy and, in turn, protective behavior. This study also found that active participation is associated with negative health outcomes, while passive participation has the opposite effects. The results of this study can potentially be used for other infectious diseases, for example, dengue fever and diseases that can be transmitted through the air and have handling protocols similar to that of COVID-19. Public health campaigns can use social media for health promotion. Public health campaigns should post positive messages and distil the received information parsimoniously to avoid unnecessary and possibly counterproductive increased anxiety of the users.

Frequent Social Media Use and Its Prospective Association With Mental Health Problems in a Representative Panel Sample of US Adolescents

This paper explains how social media has influenced teaching and learning activities at present among Saudi university teachers and students. In spite of the use of various social media platforms for learning has quickly become a norm in the online world in most universities in African countries, there is an urgent need to investigate the impact of social media usage and user experiences on the adoption of mobile learning and technologies in Saudi higher educational institution. Therefore, this study also aims to compare its results to other similar studies that have already been published in African countries. Through a quantitative research design, a questionnaire comprising items adapted from past studies was used to gather data from respondents on their perspectives and attitudes toward social media usage to encourage collaboration and communication. The results indicated apparently that smartphones are the best possible device to enhance the use of social media in education, where all teachers and almost 97% of students own it, and almost 85% of the students have Internet access at home vs. 95% of the teachers. In regards to social media applications, teachers and students use WhatsApp as a main tool, with 67% for teachers, and almost 73% of the students. Additionally, official guidelines should be developed to control social media usage among lecturers and students. Finally, an effective plan should be in place to enhance social media use, to improve the performance of both students and lecturers.

ObjectivesThis study is one of the first to systematically evaluate the relationship between the Internet and social media use and participation in politics cross‐nationally, in democracies and non‐democracies. Most existing research on this topic analyzes one country or region. We contend that access to globalizing information networks—which exist within digital media space and where discussions of political norms and values are frequent—promotes higher rates of political participation.MethodsUsing multivariate analysis and individual‐level data from the seventh wave of the World Values Survey with representative samples from 45 countries, we employ jackknifed samples to investigate the association between self‐reported frequent Internet and social media use, our proxy for the exposure to globalizing information networks, and political participation.ResultsResults show that more frequent social media use is associated with higher political participation, all else equal. This relationship is significant in democracies and non‐democracies, suggesting that information networks increase political participation even in countries with Internet shutdowns, censorship, and limited rights and freedoms.ConclusionsDespite censorship, propaganda, and misinformation, the Internet and social media may help foster political participation across international borders.

In recent years, social media usage among science trainee teachers has surged, prompting investigations into its impact on academic performance and emotional intelligence (EI). Previous research suggests a link between heightened social media dependency and decreased EI, often attributed to social media addiction and subsequent academic challenges. This study aimed to explore the social media habits of science student teachers and evaluate their academic performance and EI. Additionally, it examined gender disparities in academic achievement and EI among these trainees, along with the relationship between social media usage frequency and academic success. A sample of 140 individuals from the Faculty of Education at a public university in Selangor participated in the study, completing a quantitative questionnaire analysed using Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings indicated that most trainee teachers engage with platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube daily, maintaining an average of five social media accounts. Despite perceiving social media as beneficial for professional development, participants acknowledged its negative impact on academic performance, albeit with high self-perceived academic achievement. Furthermore, participants demonstrated proficiency in handling interpersonal conflicts empathetically, suggesting elevated EI levels. Gender differences in academic achievement and emotional intelligence (EI) were identified, as evidenced by independent sample t-tests. For academic achievement, the t-test results were t (47.319) = -5.408, p = 0.00 while for emotional intelligence, the t-test indicated t(54.434) = -2.535, p = 0.014. Pearson’s Correlation test revealed r = -0.250 and p = 0.003 and it indicated a weak negative relationship between social media usage frequency and academic achievement. Excessive social media use was associated with adverse effects on academic performance and EI, highlighting the importance of digital literacy and media education in educational policies and practices. Emphasizing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is crucial, given the increasing value placed on EI in schools. By leveraging social media, trainee teachers can enhance essential EI skills to foster supportive learning environments, aligning with evolving educational needs.

Social media are websites and applications enabling users to create or share content and communicate. The widespread use of social media among university students and easy access during class and study time raises concern about its impact on academic performance. This study aims to determine the impact of social media usage, addiction, and exposure on students' academic performance. An online cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling among undergraduate medical students in Medina, KSA during the academic year 2021/2022. We used the chi-square and fisher's exact tests to determine the impact of social media usage on academic performance. 842 medical students participated in our study. 57.1% were females, 24.8% were in the 5th academic year, and 56.5% had a Grade Point Average (GPA) in the range of 4.5 to 5. Moreover, 26.1% of the students use social networking sites for 3-4 hours, and males are more addicted to social media than females. Our results showed that students with excellent GPAs (GPA ≥ 4.5) are less likely to be addicted to social media networks (54.8%), and they perceive that using social media is not helping to improve their grades compared to other students. Also, showed that those who are addicted to social media benefit from the use of social media to improve their grades. There is no significant difference between genders in social media usage as if it helps them improve their grades. Moreover, no difference between the academic years in addiction and usage of social media. This study has revealed that students with higher levels were less addicted to social media, and those who are addicted benefit from using social media to improve their grades. We call for using social media as a supporting tool for academic performance and achievement among university students.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to gauge the impact of brand attitude and social media usage on the purchase intention of mobile phones in the context of the Pakistani market. (The study population was Rawalpindi/Islamabad and Wah cant whereas the sample size was 450) Design/ Methodology: The research collected data about mobile phone user and their purchase intention during the COVID-19 period. Findings: The findings indicate that the constructs of brand attitude (BA) and social media usage (SM) both show a positively significant relationship with purchase intention (PI). Implications: The current research will facilitate mobile manufacturers to keep track of their sales indicators as well as to have a watchful eye on their competitors. Mobile phone users are increasing exponentially globally since the business norms are running on mobile phone, not to mention offices and education is now part of social media group. Limitations: The study can be extended to other cities of Pakistan while including semi-urban areas to widen the scope of research in the future.

This study aims to explore the correlation between social media usage and the mental well-being of teenagers in Senior High Schools (SMA) in West Jakarta. The research is grounded in psychological theories that link social media usage to adolescent mental well-being. The choice of SMA in West Jakarta is to investigate the extent of the impact of social media usage on the well-being of teenagers in that area. The research method involves the use of two quantitative measurement instruments: the Internet Addiction Test to measure smartphone technology usage in the context of social media, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales to measure the level of students' mental well-being. This study employs a quantitative method with nonparametric analysis using SPSS. Data were collected through a questionnaire technique with random sampling. The respondents consist of 150 SMA students in West Jakarta. The research findings show a correlation coefficient of 0.838**, indicating a very strong and positive correlation between social media usage and adolescent mental well-being, as well as a significant relationship between these two variables. These findings suggest that high social media usage has the potential to affect students' mental well-being. The implications of this research provide a deeper understanding of the importance of mental well-being and the impact of excessive social media usage, particularly among school-going adolescents. Furthermore, these findings encourage future education, parenting, and interventions related to the importance of mental health and the consequences of excessive social media usage among teenagers.