Social Media Platforms Research Articles

The brand behind the curtain: decoupling, recoupling and moral conflict in social media

Purpose Social media platforms have matured into significant arenas for moral conflict and often intense confrontation between brands and their consumers. This research aims to scrutinize the strategic development of a fresh brand entity deliberately detached from its morally compromised corporate parent, intended to reshape public perceptions and elude regulatory scrutiny. Design/methodology/approach Promoted as a center for transformative dialogue and innovation, Mission Winnow by Philip Morris is a novel example of a brand creating an entirely separate brand entity to provide sponsorship, and to associate itself with new brand values. This study employs a multisited netnography through which the posts and conversations on Mission Winnow’s platform and website hub are captured and interpreted, as well as the branded content and the free flows of consumers’ conversations generated around the brand on social media. Findings Findings reveal a broad interchange of moral controversy, acceptance and opposition discourses on social media. When consumers’ acceptance narratives gain traction, consumers extend their support toward the new brand entity, employing strategies that echo moral rationalization and decoupling. When resistance narratives dominate, consumers consciously draw connections between the decoupled brand and the parent brand’s immoral behavior. Originality/value This study expands upon prior research into brand activism and consumers’ moral reasoning toward controversial brands, linking the notion of brand decoupling to brand activism discourse and introducing key underexplored aspects like the power of imagery, linguistic creativity and nostalgia. Moreover, it presents significant implications for a more nuanced understanding of the important interrelationship of brand decoupling and recoupling on social media.

Assessing Vaccine Intentions, Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, and Trust: A Cross-Sectional Study on Perceptions of Monkeypox Vaccination and Public Health Risk Awareness in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

Introduction The global emergence of monkeypox has heightened public health concerns, particularly in regions with limited vaccine uptake. In Nigeria, understanding the factors influencing vaccination intentions is essential for developing effective public health strategies. Despite vaccine availability, hesitancy and varying degrees of acceptance persist, driven by factors such as self-efficacy, vaccine trust, and overall attitudes toward vaccination. Previous research highlights the importance of these factors in shaping health behaviors, particularly in vulnerable populations. In Benue State, where distinct health challenges affect key demographic groups such as people living with human immunodeficiency virus(PLHIV) and men who have sex with men (MSM), addressing vaccination intentions is critical for public health efforts. Objectives The objective was to assess the intention to receive the monkeypox vaccine, self-assessed knowledge levels, self-efficacy, and risk perception among the PLHIV, MSM, and the healthcare populationin Benue State, Nigeria. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate public trust in vaccines and health authorities and to understand how these factors influence attitudes toward vaccination and overall perceptions of monkeypox-related health risks. Methodology A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 377 participants in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, focusing onPLHIV, MSM, and healthcare workers. Participants were recruited using a snowball sampling technique, which leveraged social media platforms (WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram) and the Federal Medical Center in Makurdi. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire designed to assess self-efficacy, trust in vaccines, vaccination attitudes, and prior vaccination experiences. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of the study population. Bivariate analyses, including chi-square tests and independent t-tests, were employed to explore the relationships between socio-demographic characteristics and vaccination intentions. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 for all analyses. Results The study revealed a significant positive relationship between self-efficacy and vaccination intention (p = 0.001). Trust in vaccinations and health authorities was also found to be a significant predictor of vaccination intention (p < 0.05). Furthermore, participants who had previously received the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine were more likely to express intention to receive the monkeypox vaccine (p = 0.000). However, the perception that the threat of monkeypox was exaggerated did not significantly impact vaccination intention (p = 0.4). Conclusion This study highlights the critical role of self-efficacy, trust in vaccines, and prior vaccination experiences in shaping the intention to receive the monkeypox vaccine in Benue State, Nigeria. The findings suggest that public health policies should prioritize enhancing trust in vaccines and health authorities, as well as boosting self-efficacy, to improve vaccination uptake. Addressing these factors may lead to more effective public health interventions against monkeypox and other infectious diseases.

To contract or not to contract: should we use pelvic floor muscle exercises in the treatment of dyspareunia

Pelvic floor physiotherapy incorporates pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises (PFMEs), i.e. various tasks involving contraction and relaxation. These are widely used as an integral part of conservative treatment for different pelvic health conditions (e.g. urinary incontinence). Currently, there is a debate about the adoption of PFMEs for pelvic pain conditions, specifically dyspareunia. The prevailing belief within both the physiotherapy community and wider social media platforms is that PFMEs for dyspareunia are not appropriate and may even be harmful. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PFMEs in the treatment of dyspareunia, including an exploration of potential mechanisms through which these exercises may alter its symptoms. Specifically, the authors addressed the following questions: What is the rationale for PFMEs in dyspareunia? What are the documented side effects, if any? What are the outcomes following PFMEs? A list of relevant studies was compiled from extensive searches conducted for the purpose of other reviews performed by the authors, and additional, complementary searches utilizing a combination of keywords associated with dyspareunia, physiotherapy and PFMEs. The inclusion criteria were any studies discussing and investigating the use of PFMEs, such as (but not limited to) repeated contractions or hold contractions as a sole intervention or as part of multimodal treatment. Data were extracted and narratively synthesized to identify arguments advocating for and against PFMEs in the treatment of dyspareunia. Part of the narrative analysis included 10 studies involving women with different types of dyspareunia, such as vulvodynia, postpartum dyspareunia, dyspareunia related to menopause and dyspareunia in cancer survivors. Pelvic floor muscle exercises were implemented as a main intervention or as a part of multimodal physiotherapy. All of the studies reported positive results favouring interventions involving PFMEs across various outcomes, such as pain intensity, sexual function, symptom severity and inconvenience, and PFM morphometry and function. None of the studies reported any side effects following interventions incorporating PFMEs. These exercises may have multiple applications in the treatment of dyspareunia. It appears essential to consider PFMEs as a multifaceted intervention that can be adapted in various forms for diverse objectives that extend beyond simple strengthening. Contrary to prevailing beliefs, PFMEs have been widely incorporated in research studies that have reported positive outcomes and demonstrated the safety of the interventions implemented.

Teaching poetry using Instagram: An international, interdisciplinary study with adolescents mobilizing literacy and the arts

Young people engage daily with various social media platforms to communicate with each other across the globe. Adolescents not only share text, but also use images and sound to express themselves on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to provide access to user-created content. The recent emergence of InstaPoetry—poetry with images on Instagram—has been part of such communication and provides a good entry point into adolescents’ engagement with literature and the arts. Limited research exists, however, on how this literate practice, paired with virtual and in-person museum visits, influences young people’s self-expression. In this article, we offer ways of integrating and involving these dynamic dimensions into research projects based on four sites of inquiry located in Canada and Australia. Funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, this research project provides concrete avenues to investigate teachers’ methods to foster adolescents’ engagement with literature and the arts (i.e., contextual design, procedures, environment) in (post) COVID-19 times.

The Influence of Social Media on College Choice among Undergraduates Majoring in Big Data Management and Application in China: Taking Guilin University of Electronic Technology as an Example

This study aims to investigate the influence of social media on college choice among undergraduates majoring in Big Data Management and Application in China. The study attempts to reveal how information on social media platforms such as Weibo, WeChat, and Zhihu influences the cognition and choice process of prospective students. By employing an online quantitative survey questionnaire, data were collected from the 2022 and 2023 classes of new students majoring in Big Data Management and Application at Guilin University of Electronic Technology. The aim was to evaluate the role of social media in their college choice process and understand the features and information that most attract prospective students. Social media has become a key factor influencing the college choice decision-making of undergraduates majoring in Big Data Management and Application in China. Students tend to obtain school information through social media platforms and use this information as an important reference in their decision-making process. Higher education institutions should strengthen their social media information dissemination, providing accurate, timely, and attractive information. It is also necessary to ensure effective management of social media platforms, maintain a positive reputation for the school on social media, and increase the interest and trust of prospective students. Simultaneously, educational decision-makers should consider incorporating social media analysis into their recruitment strategies to better attract new student enrollment. This study provides a new perspective for understanding higher education choice behavior in the digital age, particularly by revealing the importance of social media in the educational decision-making process. This has important practical and theoretical implications for higher education institutions, policymakers, and social media platform operators.

Enhancing Mobile Central Bank Digital Currency Payment Participation Through Creative Communication on Social Media

With the development of mobile technology, mobile devices have dramatically changed the way people entertain and pay. Social media platforms are booming, and social media is gradually becoming the main form of entertainment for people. Enterprises and organisations with promotional needs are paying more attention to the high efficiency and high input–output ratio of social media communication. Social media advertising has shown more vitality than traditional advertising. Meanwhile, mobile devices have also changed the way people pay, and mobile payment is gradually becoming popular. China has taken the lead in launching mobile Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) payment, a new payment technology, and social media communication also plays an important role in promoting CBDC payment. The purpose of this article is to explore the impact of social media creative communication on mobile CBDC payment participation. A research model suitable for this study was created by integrating privacy concern and elaboration likelihood model theory. A valid response from 300 respondents was obtained through an online self-administered questionnaire. Hypotheses were tested through a two-stage research method of partial least squares structural equation modelling with the method of artificial neural network. The results of the study showed that social media advertisements’ creativity and social media information quality significantly and positively influence users’ social media engagement. Users’ social media engagement significantly and positively influences users’ mobile CBDC payment participation. The study provides valuable practical guidance for managers of mobile CBDC payments to promote mobile CBDC payments through social media.

Terminology of medicines used to control seizure disorders: 2024 ILAE Recommendations and profile of real-world term use

Background. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) has provided recommendations on the terminology of medicines for control of seizure disorders, which should be adapted into different languages.Objective: to evaluate the usage profile of terms describing the effects of medicines used in patients with epilepsy.Material and methods. The search query analysis systems Google Trends and Yandex Wordstat as well as PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar and eLibrary databases were used to evaluate the general public and professional usage profile, respectively.The following terms in Russian and English were studied: “antiepileptic”, “antiepileptic drug”, “antiseizure”, “antiseizure drug”. In order to ascertain a prevailing opinion within professional and patient communities, a questionnaire survey was conducted on the public online resources of the non-profit partnership “The Association of Epileptologists and Patients” carried out via the cloud-based cross-platform social media as well as instant messaging service Telegram and the social media platform VK.Results. In the English-speaking internet segment, the term “antiepileptic” is used more than 5 times frequently than “antiseizure” by the general public. Conversely, in the Russian-language segment, the term “antiseizure” is almost 2.5 times more common. The term “antiepileptic” is more prevalent in scientific community in both segments. This finding aligns with the profile of terminology usage observed among epileptologists and epilepsy patients. The questionnaire survey results revealed that 56.42% of 179 respondents were in favor of the terms “antiepileptic drug”, “AED” and “antiepileptic therapy”, whereas as few as 17.32% of those endorsed the ILAE-proposed terminology.Conclusion. In light of the established practice of terminology use in both professional scientific community and among practicing epileptologists and epileptic patients, as well as the differences in the semantics of English- and Russian-language terms and the identified lack of precision in the ILAE definition of epilepsy, it can be concluded that for the Russian-speaking population, the terms “antiepileptic drug”, “AED” are more preferable rather than the terms “antiseizure medication”, “ASM”. Additionally, it is preferable to use the terms “convulsive ictus” and “epileptic ictus” due to negative connotation with term “seizure” in Russian. The terms “antiseizure” and “antiepileptic” should not be regarded as mutually exclusive in the context of treatment that has a direct impact on epilepsy course. Finally, it is necessary to further refine epilepsy definition and classification.

Hernia mesh and social media: misinformation, legal solicitation, and conflict of interest.

Patients often utilize social media platforms as a resource for medical information. Lately, hernia mesh has been surrounded by controversy due to highly publicized mesh recalls. We aimed to assess the rates of misinformation, legal solicitation, and conflict of interest of hernia mesh information on Facebook and YouTube. We conducted a cross-sectional study of Facebook posts and YouTube videos using the search term "hernia mesh." The first 150 public Facebook posts and YouTube videos were initially selected, in addition to the first 30 posts of public Facebook groups. Video/post characteristics and the presence of misinformation, legal solicitation, and conflict of interest were independently recorded by three trained raters. Fleiss' kappa coefficient (ĸ) was calculated to determine Inter-rater agreement. A total of 129 Facebook posts and 108 YouTube videos were analyzed. 29% of posts/videos were uploaded by a law firm and 24% were uploaded by medical professionals. The raters indicated that an average of 11% posts/videos contained misinformation, 17% involved legal solicitation, and 21% included conflicts of interest. Inter-rater agreement was fair for misinformation (ĸ = 0.380-0.382), substantial/almost perfect for legal solicitation (ĸ = 0.780-0.876), and moderate for conflict of interest (ĸ = 0.448-0.505). With regard to hernia mesh, misinformation, legal solicitation, and conflict of interest are somewhat common on popular social media platforms. Trained raters had a high level of agreement on legal solicitation but limited agreement on misinformation. Our findings suggest that recognizing misinformation on social media regarding hernia mesh is difficult.

‘Your Very Existence Goes Against Our Community Guidelines’: Interrogating norms of contributorship through poetic speech acts on Instagram

Platform organizing does not unfold in a neutral realm. While interconnected communicative acts such as posts, shares, or likes constitute organizing on social media platforms, platform organizations condition how such platform organizing unfolds through content moderation. This study engages with the concept of contributorship, which is anchored in communication constitutes organization (CCO) scholarship, and theorizes content moderation as a process of authorization based on ‘norms of contributorship’. Applying queer theorizing to engage with norms as a site of power vis-a-vis embodied difference, we investigate poetic speech acts as queering endeavours that interrogate norms of contributorship in the constitution of platform organizing. Drawing upon a qualitative analysis of Instagram posts that challenge content moderation related to nudity as embodied difference, the findings reveal three practices of poetic speech – playfully altering, juxtaposing wor(l)ds and satirical challenging. Such practices skilfully repoliticize the entanglement of communication, control and normativity, and lay the foundation for collectively queering norms of contributorship in platform organizing. Building upon these insights, we highlight how organizational theory and practice are always implicated in normative regimes and underscore the need for attending to the existence of organizational subjects at and beyond the margins through queering organizing writ large.

What Makes a Social Media User an Opinion Leader? Source Characteristics and Consumers’ Behavioral Intentions

Instagram as a social media platform has gained prominence as the medium of influencer marketing practices targeting consumers of beauty products, yet little is known about source characteristics affecting Instagram opinion leadership resulting in consumers’ purchasing behavior. Thus, this work examines effects of Instagram influencers’ attributes (credibility, attractiveness, innovativeness, and sense of humor) on their perceived opinion leadership and its subsequent impacts on consumers’ behavioral intentions. The research also analyzes complementary moderating effects of parasocial relationship and social identity reinforcing behavioral implications of social media opinion leadership. Empirical results from 202 Instagram followers reveal that credibility, innovativeness, and sense of humor exert positive influence on perceived opinion leadership which subsequently enhances levels of positive word-of-mouth, purchase, and loyalty intentions. Besides, social identity strengthens positive impacts of opinion leadership on consumers’ word-of-mouth and purchase intentions. Thus, the findings not only contribute to the theory of opinion leadership, but have beneficial implications enabling beauty brands to develop effectual social media marketing communication strategies.

Knowledge of Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) in Children among Eye Care Professionals in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Objective: Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI), a brain-based visual disorder that affects neural networks that process incoming visual information throughout the brain, poses challenges in diagnosis and managing visual impairment in children. With the prevalence rise in CVI cases among children, there is a growing demand for ophthalmologists and optometrists to address these conditions, emphasising the importance of improving knowledge and awareness for better visual rehabilitation. This study intends to quantify the level of understanding of CVI in children among eye care professionals in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Material and Methods: Two hundred thirty registered eye care professionals, including ophthalmologists and optometrists across Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, participated in this cross-sectional web-based survey. A standardised questionnaire was created through Google Forms and distributed via social media platforms between April and June 2022.Results: The finding showed that the eye care professionals have significantly basic knowledge regarding CVI in children (x2=369; df=2; p-value≤0.01). Most respondents correctly identified variable loss of vision, visual field defects, and abnormal behaviour as clinical features of CVI in children. Additionally, over half of the respondents selected magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the appropriate investigation choice.Conclusion: These findings indicate that eye care professionals have basic knowledge and awareness of CVI in children. More research is needed to enhance knowledge and raise awareness about CVI in children among eye-care professionals.

Effect of a single-session mindfulness-based intervention for reducing stress in family caregivers of people with dementia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundCaregiver stress can pose serious health and psychological concerns, highlighting the importance of timely interventions for family caregivers of people with dementia. Single-session mindfulness-based interventions could be a promising yet under-researched approach to enhancing their mental well-being within their unpredictable, time-constrained contexts. This trial will evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of a blended mindfulness-based intervention consisting of a single session and app-based follow-up in reducing caregiver stress.Methods/DesignThe study is a single-blinded randomized controlled trial with two arms (intervention versus an education session on dementia care) and assessments at baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months. The eligibility criteria include: family caregivers aged 18 years or older; providing care for an individual with a confirmed medical diagnosis of dementia for at least 3 months prior to recruitment, with a minimum of 4 hours of daily contact; and exhibiting a high level of caregiver stress. The intervention comprises a 90-minute group-based session with various mindfulness practices and psychoeducation. Participants will receive a self-practice toolkit to guide their practice over a duration of 8 weeks. Sharing activities will be implemented through an online social media platform. The primary outcome is perceived caregiving stress. The secondary outcomes include depressive symptoms, positive aspects of caregiving, dyadic relationship, trait mindfulness, and neuropsychiatric symptoms of care recipients. The feasibility outcomes include eligibility and enrollment, attendance, adherence to self-practice, and retention, assessed using mixed methods.DiscussionThe study will contribute to the evidence base by investigating whether a single-session mindfulness intervention is effective and feasible for reducing caregiver stress among family caregivers of people with dementia.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06346223. Registered on April 3, 2024.

Political Labeling on Social Media: a Netnographic Study of “SDM Rendah” in Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Election on X (Twitter)

The 2024 presidential election campaign in Indonesia has produced various unique phenomena, including the emergence of the "Low Human Resources'' (SDM Rendah) label directed at the supporters of candidate pair 02 by the supporters of candidate pairs 01 and 03. The existence of this label has become a spotlight because it reflects the dynamics of politics and social interaction within the community. In conducting the netnographic research strategy in this study, the primary focus is on gaining a deep understanding of the underlying reasons for this labeling, as well as how it affects public perception and the overall political dynamics. The social media platform X was selected as the research subject due to its crucial role in facilitating communicative interaction, including the labeling process. It is expected that the results of this research can provide deeper insights into the phenomenon of labeling in the political realm on the X social media platform, as well as provide a better understanding for politicians and the public regarding the importance of using social media platforms wisely in the political context. This research also has significant academic implications in the field of communication science, particularly in the theory of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC), which can contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of social media in contemporary politics. The practical implications cannot be overlooked either, especially in the efforts to raise awareness of the power and impact of social media platforms in the political context during the 2024 presidential campaign in Indonesia.

The Help-Seeking Behavior of Victims of Image-Based Sexual Harassment and Abuse: A Scoping Review.

Image-based sexual harassment and abuse (IBSHA) has recently gained scientific attention. To date, research has primarily focused on victim characteristics and impact, while little specific empirical research exists on victims' help-seeking behavior, including barriers and facilitators to seeking support. The aim of this scoping review was to examine the current state of literature on IBSHA victims' help-seeking behavior and barriers and facilitators to seeking support. Seven electronic bibliographic databases were searched up to June 2023 to identify relevant literature. Inclusion criteria consisted of (1) English or Dutch language, (2) original empirical data, (3) studying one or more forms of IBSHA, (4) victim sample, and (5) addressing help-seeking behavior, and/or factors encouraging or discouraging help-seeking. The scoping review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols extension for scoping reviews. In total, 81 articles were included. Varying definitions of IBSHA, sample sizes, and populations complicated the drawing of general conclusions. The research was primarily conducted in English-speaking Western countries with a majority of young, White, heterosexual, and women samples. Prevalence rates of help-seeking strongly varied. Multiple sources of informal and formal support were identified, including friends, family, social media platforms, and police. Informal support appeared preferred. Articles identified several barriers to help-seeking including shame, (fear of) negative social responses and negative expectations of formal support, and facilitators, including desire for justice and takedown of non-consensually shared images. Research on IBSHA is growing rapidly. The field would benefit from further research focused on help-seeking with diverse samples, standardized measures, and intersectionality. Recommendations for policy and practice are provided.

Assessing primary Tokophobia among Lebanese childless men and nulliparous women: psychometric validation of the Arabic versions of the fathers’ fear of childbirth scale and Tokophobia severity scale

IntroductionTokophobia is an intense and pathological fear of pregnancy and childbirth. Despite its significance, no research in Lebanon has investigated primary tokophobia within the general population. Nevertheless, it is crucial to assess the attitudes of both women and men, as potential future parents, towards pregnancy and childbirth, particularly during these challenging times for the Lebanese population. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Tokophobia Severity Scale (TSS) and Fathers’ Fear of Childbirth Scale (FFCS) for assessing primary tokophobia among Lebanese nulliparous women and childless men, respectively.MethodsThis cross-sectional investigation encompassed all Lebanese governorates; 651 women and 618 men were recruited via social media platforms, using a snowball sampling technique. The questionnaire included the Tokophobia Severity Scale, the Fathers’ Fear of Childbirth Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Lebanese Anxiety Scale.ResultsFactorial analysis of the TSS in women revealed a three-factor model: concerns related to personal complications (Factor 1), fetal well-being (Factor 2), and outward behavioral responses to fear (Factor 3). The FFCS also yielded a three-factor measurement model: emotional responses during the partner’s childbirth (Factor 1), concerns regarding the hospital environment during childbirth (Factor 2), and anxieties surrounding the perinatal health of both the partner and child (Factor 3). Both scales were internally consistent with Cronbach’s alpha > 0.9, indicating their reliability. The TSS and FFCS demonstrated statistically significant correlations with measures of anxiety and depression, thus attesting to convergent validity.ConclusionThe results of this study provide evidence for the psychometric validity and reliability of the TSS and FFCS scales in Arabic-speaking populations. Given the previously overlooked nature of primary tokophobia in these populations, the availability of these validated instruments can significantly enhance the ability to detect and address this condition, ultimately facilitating the provision of necessary support services.

Cryptocurrency Security Risk: Awareness Among General Public in Malaysia

In the age of digital payments, cryptocurrencies have gained significant attention as an alternative investment option. However, security risks such as phishing, hacking, and fraudulent exchanges present challenges for investors. This study aims to assess the level of awareness among the general public in Malaysia regarding cryptocurrency security risks. A quantitative research method was employed, using a survey questionnaire distributed to 150 Malaysian citizens via social media platforms. The questionnaire explored respondents' knowledge of cryptocurrencies, awareness of security risks, and protective measures such as security programs, two-factor authentication (2FA), and education. The results of the regression analysis show that the installation of security programs, 2FA, and public education are all significant predictors of increased awareness of cryptocurrency security risks, with a combined R² value of 0.523. This suggests that 52.3% of the variance in awareness is explained by these factors. The study concludes that strengthening security measures and providing education can significantly improve public understanding of cryptocurrency risks, leading to safer investment practices. The implications of these findings highlight the need for targeted education and security initiatives to enhance public confidence in cryptocurrency, making digital currency investments more secure

Encountering Virtual Veterans: AI chatbots, martial ontologies, and memories of war

ABSTRACT With new technologies presenting ever more ways to encounter war, this article asks about one in particular: representations of veterans powered by artificial intelligence. Specifically, I focus on the Virtual Veterans chatbot – named Charlie – produced by Anzac Square, the state war memorial of Queensland, Australia. Shared on the social media platform X, this feature has garnered significant public attention. I argue that AI representations of this nature delimit the boundaries of war by discussing certain topics and not others. They possess a martial ontology that locates certain subjects and issues outside of ‘war’ and others within it. Further, they produce an epistemology of war that presents a state-sanctioned history as ‘first hand’, lending it significant authority and engendering vicarious militarism. In so doing, these chatbots reproduce existing ideas of nation, gender, racial identity and more.

Optimalisasi Pemanfaatan Media Pembelajaran Berbasis TikTok sebagai Upaya Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Siswa

As technology evolves, social media platforms like TikTok have started to be utilized in education as interactive and engaging tools. The aim of this research is to explore the potential of TikTok as a learning medium to improve student learning outcomes. This study uses a literature review method to analyze various sources related to the use of TikTok in education. Data were collected from five academic journal articles and literature reviews that discuss the use of TikTok in different educational contexts. The data analysis technique used in this study is content analysis, which identifies key themes from the related articles and examines the relationship between TikTok usage and student learning outcomes. The research results show that TikTok can enhance student engagement and motivation in learning and have a positive impact on their learning outcomes. TikTok has the ability to present educational material innovatively and effectively by utilizing an appealing visual format. If used correctly, TikTok can become a valuable learning medium. Thus, TikTok offers teachers the opportunity to create more creative and engaging lessons.

The Impact of Food Quality on Customer Satisfaction: A Study of Fast-Food Business

This study investigates the impact of food quality on customer satisfaction at KFC, focusing on key factors such as taste, packaging or presentation, and freshness. The primary objective is to analyze how these factors influence customer satisfaction and loyalty among KFC customers in Malaysia, India, and Indonesia. Data were collected through an online survey using Google Forms, targeting 150 KFC customers across the three countries. Respondents rated their experiences on a 5-point Likert scale, with the survey distributed via social media platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram. The results reveal that taste and customer loyalty significantly influence customer satisfaction, with taste having a β value of 0.262 and loyalty showing the strongest effect with a β value of 0.537. In contrast, packaging and freshness did not show a significant impact on satisfaction. The R² value of 0.637 indicates that 63.7% of customer satisfaction can be explained by these factors. In conclusion, the findings highlight the critical role of taste and loyalty in driving satisfaction at KFC, with implications for focusing on food quality and customer relationship strategies to enhance satisfaction and customer retention

Dialogical Health Communication via Twitter (X) During COVID-19 in African Countries: Ghana as a Case Study

Social media platforms, such as Twitter (X), have a critical role in disseminating health information. The study aims to highlight the potential of Twitter (X) as an influential tool for health communication, in addition to providing findings related to public health communication strategies in Ghana. The study investigated the role of Twitter (X) as a platform for building interactive health communication between the health communication system and citizens in Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2022. Additionally, it has the potential to contribute to building dialogical health communication. The study analyzed a sample of COVID-19-related tweets from the official Ghana Health Service Twitter (X) account @_GHS from 2020 to 2022. The results showed that Twitter (X) was a key tool for health communication during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana, with both health institutions and the public sharing large amounts of health information. Furthermore, the study found evidence of dialogic communication, in which healthcare institutions and professionals are actively engaging with the public on Twitter (X). It concluded that public health communication on Twitter (X) has changed over time, as well as that the interactive health communication between the health communication system and citizens in Ghana was affected positively during the COVID-19 outbreak. It highlighted Twitter (X)’s potential as a tool for establishing a dialogue loop and building dialogic health communication. The results showed that before COVID-19, Ghana did not use Twitter (X) effectively to communicate with citizens about health matters. Twitter (X), with its wide reach and highly interactive nature through features such as retweets, has become a major platform for interactions facilitating dialogue between health institutions and health professionals and facilitating dialogue in public spaces surrounding health issues like COVID-19.