Media Habits Research Articles

Interplay of paternal caregiving and screen use habits on early childhood development and children’s tantrums

BackgroundThis study aims to examine the association for paternal care and father-child screen use with early childhood development and children’s temper tantrums.MethodStudy file included questions about paternal characteristics, child care, father-child screen habits, and utilized the UNICEF Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI). Factors influencing ECDI-on-track status and children’s responses when screen use was restricted were investigated with Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression.ResultsThe study included 464 fathers having children aged 3–4 years. The findings showed that 89.7% of the children were on track in three out of the four ECDI subgroups. When screen use was restricted, 55.6% of the children engaged in another activity, while 44.4% reacted by crying. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the father’s education level, the child’s age and gender, the starting age for screen usage, the child’s reaction to screen restriction, and having three or more books were associated with ECDI. Furthermore, the child’s reaction to screen restriction was related to the child’s and father’s screen time, the presence of three or more books, the adequacy of care, and being on track in the literacy-numeracy ECDI subgroup.ConclusionScreen usage habits significantly impact early childhood development and children’s reactions to screen restrictions. These findings underscore the importance of educating fathers about the effects of their own and their child’s media habits, the quality of fatherly caregiving, and the presence of books in fostering positive child development.

Relationship Between Instagram, Body Satisfaction, and Self-Esteem in Early Adulthood.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to explore the effects of Instagram use on body satisfaction and self-esteem in young adults 20 to 40 years (N = 95). Given the widespread use of social media and its potential influence on body image, we sought to understand how Instagram use may contribute to body dissatisfaction and self-esteem, particularly through quantitative analysis of self-report measures. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design in which the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), and additional ad hoc questions designed to assess Instagram usage patterns were employed. Results: The results indicated that greater Instagram use is associated with increased body dissatisfaction (p = 0.005), although it did not significantly affect self-esteem (p = 0.211). Gender did not play a significant role in these relationships (p = 0.173). Notably, a significant positive correlation was found between body satisfaction and self-esteem, showing that individuals with higher body satisfaction also reported higher self-esteem (p < 0.001). Further analyses indicated that users exposed to appearance-centered content were more likely to report body dissatisfaction. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Instagram usage, particularly in the context of appearance-focused content, has a considerable impact on body dissatisfaction among young adults but does not appear to influence self-esteem. This highlights the importance of developing interventions focused on promoting healthy social media habits and critical content engagement to mitigate negative impacts on body image. Social media exposure should be a key component in future interventions designed to improve body image and overall psychological well-being.

Social Media Preferences and Usage Behaviour among Indonesians Insights and Implications for Business Strategies

This study explores social media preferences and behaviors among Indonesian users aged 18 to 64, surveyed between August and September 2024. Utilizing a sample of 156 respondents, the research aims to uncover patterns in platform usage, content preferences, and receptivity to advertisements. The results reveal that Instagram is the most used and preferred social media platform among respondents, positioning it as a crucial channel for businesses targeting the Indonesian market. These findings offer valuable insights into the social media habits of Indonesian users, providing practical implications for businesses looking to optimize their digital marketing strategies. By identifying key trends in platform popularity, user behavior, and engagement with specific types of content, businesses can better tailor their digital outreach and advertising efforts. The study also highlights that users are most engaged during particular times of the day and show a strong preference for content related to entertainment, education, and career development. These insights allow businesses to strategically target users with personalized content that aligns with their interests and maximizes engagement. Furthermore, the importance of understanding consumer preferences in shaping effective advertising campaigns is emphasized, particularly in the rapidly evolving digital landscape of Indonesia. This study shows the dominance of Instagram platform among social users.

The Impact of Social Media Use on Adolescent Social Anxiety and Coping Strategies

Today's adolescents are a generation born with the advent of the internet, and their lifestyle and thinking patterns are deeply influenced by the online environment. Unlike in the past, when adolescent growth mainly depended on living, learning, and social environments, media technology today is intricately linked to human development. With the widespread use of social media, while adolescents enjoy the convenience and fun it brings, they also face challenges related to social anxiety and other mental health issues. Therefore, this paper analyzes the impact of social media use on adolescent social interactions from different dimensions, including both positive and negative effects. It also explores the causes of adolescent social anxiety, which include individual psychological factors, the characteristics of social media itself, and the family and social environment. Accordingly, it suggests that targeted support should be provided to adolescents to help them develop good social media habits, effectively cope with social anxiety, and promote their overall healthy development.

Is Australia's urban-regional schism on climate reality or rhetoric?

Research and popular discourse have not settled on whether there exists an urban-regional divide on climate. In Australia, we observe rhetoric in the public sphere suggesting such a divide. In this paper we examine whether the urban-regional schism on climate reflects the reality of Australians' opinions on climate change. We conducted a quota survey of the Australian population (N = 2,952) and measured opinion across seven climate and seven social issues. We found limited evidence of an urban-regional divide on climate change and most social issues. However, urban and regional Australians’ attitudes differed on one item: perception of difference between urban and regional people. We suggest that urban-regional divide rhetoric may appeal to rural identifying people, not regional residents per se. We also identified the role of media habits: consumption of ABC (the national broadcaster) or Sky News (News Corp subscription channel) are significant predictors of climate opinion.

Children’s self-reported exposure to sugary beverage advertisements and association with intake across six countries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a repeat cross-sectional study

BackgroundChildren’s exposure to sugary beverage advertising may have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to shifts in media habits, which could subsequently have influenced intake. This study aimed to examine: 1) children’s frequency and setting of exposure to advertisements of sugary beverages in six countries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2) the association between exposure to sugary beverage advertisements and intake.MethodsChildren aged 10–17 years (n = 28,908) in Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) completed online surveys in 2019, 2020 and 2021 as part of the International Food Policy Study using a repeat cross-sectional study design. Respondents self-reported frequency and setting of exposure to sugary beverage advertisements, location of school classes (in-person/online, 2020–2021 only), screen time, and sugary beverage intake. Adjusted weighted logistic and negative binomial regression models stratified by country examined associations between year and reported sugary beverage advertising exposure, and associations between sugary beverage advertising exposure and intake. Differences in reported advertising exposure between students taking online or in-person school classes were explored.ResultsSelf-reported exposure to advertisements for sugary beverages at least weekly was relatively stable across years within countries, with differences in settings of exposure. Exposure to sugary beverage advertisements increased on digital media independently of screen time from 2019 to 2021 in Australia, Canada, the UK and US, with a concomitant decrease in exposure in retail settings in all countries except the UK. In Australia and the UK, children attending all classes online were more likely to report at least weekly (vs less than once a week) exposure to sugary beverage advertisements, and children attending all classes online were more likely to report exposure to advertisements on digital media and in other settings (e.g., billboard, magazines) compared to children attending in-person classes in Australia, Canada and the UK. Exposure to sugary beverage advertisements at least weekly (IRR = 1.12,99%CI:1.09–1.15) and in each of the settings was associated with sugary beverage intake.ConclusionsExposure to digital advertisements for sugary beverages increased from 2019 to 2021 in most countries, and exposure was associated with sugary beverage intake. Reducing children’s exposure to advertising of less healthy foods, including on digital media, may reduce sugary beverage intake.

The impact of AI-generated content on content consumption habits of Chinese social media users through Xiaohongshu application

This study aims to analyze the effects of artificial intelligence-generated content and human-generated content on user cognition, interaction and satisfaction in Xiaohongshu application. The samples are 500 active Xiaohongshu users in China's first - and second-tier cities, including white-collar workers, students, freelancers selected through multi-stage random sampling. The research instrument is a questionnaire. Data were analyzed by statistical methods such as multiple linear regression analysis, T-test and Pearson correlation analysis were used to compare the differences between AI-generated content and human-generated content in terms of user satisfaction, time of use, recommendation quality, personalization satisfaction, content creativity and understanding of user needs. The findings revealed that AI-generated content shows significant advantages in improving user satisfaction and interaction, and the conclusions provide empirical support for the content optimization of social media platforms.

A Study on How Social Media FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) Impacts the Gen Z Audience

Generation Z, or Gen Z, refers to people born between 1995 and 2010, often known as "zoomers," the first generation to fully embrace the internet. This paper focuses on the impact of socialmedia-induced Fear ofMissing Out (FOMO) on Generation Z, blending with the characteristics of digital nativity and extensive engagement with social media platforms. Fear of Missing Out, or FOMO, was uniquely introduced in 2004 with the rise of social networking sites. It centers on anxiety and how, for Gen Z, this plays a pivotal role in making one feel absent from rewarding experiences. This study delves into the effects on mental health, psychological well-being, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. It explores social media analytics regarding usage, compulsive checking, behavioural consequences, following trends, and real-life social interactions. The findings highlight the need for strategies to mitigate FOMO's adverse effects, promoting healthier social media habits and fostering a more balanced approach to digital consumption.

Navigating Technological Shifts: An Examination of User Inertia and Technology Prestige in Large-Language-Model AI Chatbot Transition

As large-language-model (LLM) AI chatbots create new pathways for problem-solving, they pose a challenge to the dominance of traditional search engines and knowledge sharing platforms. Utilizing theories of Status Quo Bias and Symbolic Consumption, this study investigates how user inertia and the perceived prestige of LLM AI chatbots influence the transition between platforms. A national survey comprising participants who have used LLM AI chatbots, knowledge sharing forums, and search engines (N = 800) within China was conducted. The findings obtained from structural equation modeling reveal that user inertia, rooted in habits and sunk costs, inhibits platform transition; however, the prestige of LLM AI chatbots can promote adoption and mitigate inertia; and entrenched media habits could, surprisingly, facilitate openness to new technologies. Implications on platform migration behavior amid technological advancements are discussed.

Review of Media Advertising's Effects

To sway customer behaviour, marketers make investments across a range of media channels(CB). Every media platform has a unique composition of advertisements that engage viewers in adistinctive way. The media habits of consumers have changed as a result of digitalization. Therefore, adeeper comprehension of media platform advertisements and their effects on CB must be formed. In thispaper discuss on media advertising effects.

When the Right Riots: How Ideology, Protest Tolerance, Authoritarianism and News Consumption Affect Perceptions of the US Capitol Insurrection

ABSTRACT After the 2020 presidential election, sustained efforts to overturn outcomes culminated in the invasion of the United States Capitol. While scholars have long investigated the impact of news on support for left-leaning protests, it is critical to understand how political predispositions and news consumption relate to support for anti-democratic movements. Through a survey fielded one week after the invasion, we analyzed how ideology, attitudes about protesting in general, authoritarianism, and media habits relate to people’s support for the movement, perceptions of its disruptiveness, and opinions about police response. Results show that conservative media have a strong unidirectional relationship, increasing support for the movement, while left-leaning or mainstream media impact is moderated by partisanship, which is related to increased support for liberals and decreased support for conservatives. We found authoritarianism related to support for Stop the Steal and perceptions of the police as too severe to suppress it. Evidence suggests elite cues and consumption of conservative media can legitimize insurrectionist movements, even among those who strongly oppose the right to protest overall.

Neuroticism and the Fear of Missing Out: Exploring Psychological Outcomes in Young Adults

The rapid evolution of digital media has significantly shaped communication patterns and social interactions, particularly among young adults. This study explores the correlation between neuroticism and the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) among students at Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana, with a focus on understanding how these elements impact psychological health and social behaviors. Utilizing a quantitative correlational design, the research investigates how the personality trait of neuroticism predicts the extent of FoMO, a condition exacerbated by intense social media engagement. The sample comprised 158 active university students who engage in over three hours of social media usage daily. Data were collected via the Fear of Missing Out Scale and the Neuroticism Scale from the NEO-PI, administered through Google Forms. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between neuroticism and FoMO (r = 0.704, p &lt; 0.01), indicating that students with higher levels of neuroticism are more likely to experience FoMO. These results suggest that neuroticism may enhance sensitivity to social media cues, thereby increasing feelings of anxiety and the fear of being left out of rewarding social experiences. The study highlights the need for targeted psychological interventions and educational programs to mitigate the impacts of FoMO and promote healthier social media habits. This research contributes to the broader discourse on the psychological effects of digital technologies, emphasizing the importance of addressing underlying personality traits that predispose individuals to digital vulnerabilities.

Impact of Social Media on Academic Performance: A Study of University Students during COVID-19

Adults are becoming more responsive to social media nowadays. The phenomenon is offering entertainment communication platforms and becoming a source of information as well. Social media has become an important element which is affecting the academic performance of adults. The gratification theory and survey method/technique are used for analysis. The study sample was 300 students, and data were collected from the three main universities of Islamabad through a convenience sampling technique. This study showed that social media had a positive impact on university students’ performance. The result of the study also describes that if the students spend more time on their studies, their academic performance will increase, and if more time is spent on social media, their academic performance will decrease. The first and greatest disadvantage of study is that it ignores online media habits; an abundance of use may prompt harm and redirection from the core interest. Just a single scholarly foundation was engaged in the examination. The task can't be summed up completely along these lines. The investigation uncovered considerable positive results in view of the way that college understudies frequently utilize web-based media and cell phones for delight, yet additionally for instructive targets.

Sexual satisfaction and attitude toward marital infidelity among married people in Iran: the role of social media and entertainment preferences

Background and purposeSexual satisfaction and attitudes toward marital infidelity are crucial components of marital quality and well-being. This study investigates the impact of social media and entertainment preferences on these aspects among married couples in Iran, acknowledging the sociocultural nuances unique to the region.Method and materialA cross-sectional survey design was employed, gathering data from 1,756 married participants through an online questionnaire in Iran. Variables included social media and entertainment preferences, sexual satisfaction, attitude toward marital infidelity, and demographic details. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test), and GLM (Generalized linear model) were used for exploration.ResultsKey results reveal significant associations between demographic factors, social media usage, and attitudes toward marital infidelity. Notable trends include higher sexual satisfaction among younger participants (p < 0.05), those with shorter marital durations (p < 0.01), and those residing outside Tehran (p < 0.001). Attitudes toward marital infidelity were influenced by gender, age, ethnicity, income levels, and social media habits, reflecting a complex interplay of factors. The GLM analysis emphasizes the impact of variables such as marital duration, ethnicity, spouse’s education, Iranian social media usage, and attitudes toward marital infidelity on sexual satisfaction. Participants with shorter marriages (p < 0.01), higher spouse education (p < 0.05), and more frequent Iranian social media usage (p < 0.001) reported higher sexual satisfaction.ConclusionsThis study explores the dynamics of marital relationships in Iran, examining the interconnections between demographics, media habits, sexual satisfaction, and attitudes toward infidelity. The findings provide valuable insights into factors influencing marital satisfaction, emphasizing the importance of considering cultural contexts. Robust statistical methods, including Generalized Linear Models, support the reliability of results. The study contributes to understanding non-western marital dynamics, highlighting implications for research and interventions in the digital age.

Youth Reception of Gender-Based Violence Victim in Soft White Underbelly YouTube Channel

Soft White Underbelly is a YouTube channel that produces content of interviews with marginalized people in America. It uncovers stories of stigmatized people and reveals the systemic inequality behind their presence. Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the issues addressed on this channel. It portrays how prostitutes are victims of GBV. The author applied Stuart Hall’s audience reception theory. The theory proposes that media messages are not static. Hall suggested that expectations and prior knowledge influence their text interpretation. This research investigates how young audiences perceive portrayals of GBV victims in Soft White Underbelly's videos on prostitution and explores the factors that influence these perceptions. A qualitative method was adopted, employing audience reception analysis as the approach. Informants were international YouTube users between the ages of 18 and 30. The study finds various receptions, influenced by social factors, media habits, educational levels, personal experiences, and economic factors. Furthermore, this research confirms that Hall's reception theory is evident in today's audience reception. The findings demonstrate how viewers can develop critical awareness, interpret media texts, and disseminate them back into their social environment.

The growth of problematic media use over early childhood: Associations with long-term social and emotional outcomes

Problematic media use (PMU) tends to be related to significant social, emotional, and behavioral problems throughout life. Little research, however, has examined the development of PMU during early childhood, where media habits begin to form. The current longitudinal study examines the growth of PMU across early childhood (between 2.5 and 5.5 years of age) with a focus on predictors and outcomes (social, emotional, and parenting) of the intercept and slope of PMU over time. Participants (N = 269 children and their parents; 4.9% Asian American, 8.2% Black, 21% Hispanic or Latino, 63% White, 7% Mixed or Other race) completed questionnaires assessing PMU, media parenting, parental warmth and connection, and child social and emotional problems. Results indicated slight overall increases in PMU from ages 2.5 to 5.5. Emotional reactivity, aggression, and overall TV time predicted initial levels of PMU. Additionally, initial levels of PMU were related to social and emotional problems four years later. An increasing trajectory of PMU was associated with later aggression in childhood, even when controlling for initial levels of aggression. Implications for parents and prevention efforts aimed at reducing PMU are discussed.

Media use and attitudes towards screens in children aged 36-72 months; a cross-sectional, descriptive study.

Introduction: The age at which children are introduced to media devices is becoming increasingly earlier. Studies regarding the media habits of young children have gained importance. The aim of the study was to describe the screen media habits (age of introduction media, time spend with screen, popular choices) of preschool children and to explore their relationship with household characteristics. Population and methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study; the parents of children aged 36-72 months who attended childcare centers in Kayseri, a central Anatolian city in Türkiye, completed a questionnaire on media habits of families and children. Results: There were 858 questionaires included. The proportion of children using screen media more than 2 h/day was 28%; 36% of children were introduced to media devices before the age of two. The most frequently used media tool was television (95%) and the program watched was cartoons for TV (86.7%). Children of highly educated parents had shorter TV, computer and smartphone screen time (p = 0.012, p = 0.007, p <0.01 for mother and p = 0.049, p = 0.032, p = 0.04 for father respectively). Introducing books in the first 6 months was associated with shorter daily screen time (p = 0.011, p = 0.009, p = 0.002 for TV, computer and smartphone ,respectively). Parent's time spent on TV was positively correlated with children's time spent on TV (p <0.05, r = 0.354). Conclusion: Parents' education levels, parents' screen time and introducing book in early age was related to children's media habits. Comprehensive studies are needed to explain this relationship more clearly.

Analysis of the Communication Strategy of Fast Fashion Brand Uniqlo in Cross-Cultural Contexts

With the globalization of culture and the improvement of economy, overseas sales of big brands have become a major destination. The international fast-paced, high-quality labels with location and mobility advantages have quickly entered the Chinese domestic market characterized by strong demand and demographic dividend, and soon have conquered a market place. Under the current cross-cultural context, whether the product message sent overseas can suit the culture, psychology and customs of the target country, has become a key factor in its determining business success. This article chooses UNIQLO as the main example, put its Chinese Localization strategy under the difference of Chinese and Japanese cultures. Base on the grasp of the status quo of China's fast fashion market, consumers' life attitudes and media habits under the background of economic and social development, uses the theoretical frameworks related to cultural differences to analyze the brand’s cross-cultural explanations of its own concept, the location of the communication Discourse, the choice of media and its communication effect to further promote the understanding of brands’ cross-culture communication and provide reference to fast fashion brands’ communication beyond the boundary.

The Interplay between Binge Watching and Suicide Risk: Daytime Sleepiness and Maladaptive Daydreaming as Mediators

Binge watching, which entails consecutively viewing numerous episodes of a TV series or a selection of movies over an extended timeframe, often without pause, is notably widespread among young adults skilled in digital media usage. Nevertheless, this escalating habit can lead to problematic and addictive behavior, with potential associations including disruptions in sleep patterns, dreaming, and an elevated risk of suicide. The primary objective of this research was to assess whether daytime sleepiness and maladaptive daydreaming may impact the connection between binge watching and suicide risk and whether the hypothesized model is gender invariant. Self-report questionnaires were administered to a sample of 1012 emerging adults (50% girls) aged 18–25 (M = 21.73, SD = 2.28). Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), structural equation modeling (SEM) with latent variables, and multiple-group path analysis (MGPA) were conducted. All direct and indirect paths were found to be statistically significant, and gender was found to be invariant. Specifically, the findings highlighted that higher binge watching, coupled with daytime sleepiness and maladaptive daydreaming, heightened suicide risk in both genders. Binge watching and sleep and dream issues are important factors to consider in the assessment of suicide risk, particularly among emerging adults who are already at a higher risk. It is thus important to prioritize the promotion of healthy media habits.

Studying the Impact Of D.P.SL Model on Online Identity Management

This paper investigates online identities through social media language use, with a focus on classifying online identity within textual conversations. It sheds light on how Demographic (D) groups and Personality (P) impact the use of Social-Media Language (SL) for identity representation online. This study was conducted in 2023 when there were 4.76 billion social media users worldwide, making it essential to study how social media language is used in textual conversations to convey online identity. The study defines social media language as consisting of emoticons/emojis, abbreviations, and mixed language within textual conversations, which have become essential for expressing feelings and emotions during conversations. The D.P.SL based survey conducted for this work aimed to understand how demographic groups and personality are related to social media language. Based on the total number of social media user worldwide, 400 responses (required based on Cochran and Yamane’s formulae sample-size calculation) and the survey was distributed across various verified online survey exchange platforms. However, 406 responses were recorded with young people in age groups of 18-24 and 25-34 using social media language more as it has become a part of their social media habits. The study also found that emoticons/emojis and slang abbreviations with letter reduplication were quite common, making conversations lively and funny. Additionally, individuals whose primary language is not English use their native language but type in English for quick communication. Subsequent study is to be conducted using online mock group conversations between participating respondents to further understand correlations, causation, and concurrency on how ‘online identity’ is managed during online communications via social media language, its context of use, and polarity sentiment.