Access To Social Media Research Articles

Impact of social media use on critical thinking ability of university students

PurposeThis research aims to discover the relationship between social media usage (SMU) and the critical thinking ability (CTA) of university students, and to answer the question that whether social media dependence (SMD) affects the development of CTA, and thus providing a reference for the social media access strategy of academic libraries from the perspective of media information literacy.Design/methodology/approachThe research data were collected via 300 valid questionnaires whose respondents are students from three universities in China. Multistage stratified cluster sampling method was used to select the respondents, which guarantees statistical representativeness. A pre-test was conducted to ensure the validity of the questionnaire.FindingsIt is shown that the total score of CTA and the six sub-dimensions are significantly positively correlated with SMU, but strongly negatively correlated with SMD. Based on the mediating effect testing, it is discovered that the degree of SMD can affect the promoting relations between the usage intensity of social media (UISM) and CTA. Clearly, SMU is a double-edged sword. While it narrows the digital gap in terms of accessibility, it widens the digital gap in terms of usage.Originality/valueThe differences in SMU have a significant impact on the development of CTA of university students. This inspires us to consider the ability of “using social media in a balanced way” as an important evaluation and training direction when inquiring media literacy. As social media is becoming a critical channel in cultivating individual's thinking skills, it is highly suggested that the amount of time spent on reading fragmented information on the internet should be controlled.

Effects of Social Media access on Learning in Secondary Schools, in Kinondoni Municipality, Tanzania

Social media is rapidly changing the communication setting of day-to-day activities of young people. The presence of social media has ominously influenced the academic life of students. Social media is used to fulfill perceived social needs, but social media cannot fulfill all needs. Institutions and academicians are continually trying social media technologies hoping to excite critical thinking skills, associations, and knowledge construction. This study intended to explore and examine the effects of social media access on learning in secondary schools in Kinondoni Municipality in the city of Dar es Salaam based on the following specific objectives: i) to investigate the effects of Facebook on students learning in secondary schools in Kinondoni Municipality ii) to determine the effects of WhatsApp usage to students learning and attitude, in Kinondoni Municipality with relationship to their time management iii) to establish the effects of Instagram on change of student behavior in secondary school, in Kinondoni Municipality and iv) to explore how YouTube contributes to the moral development of secondary school students in Kinondoni Municipality. The study employed a mixed-method design in examining these effects. Five hundred and fifty (550) participants were conveniently sampled and heads of schools were interviewed within a week. After studying the phenomena that were of interest to the study, and transcribing the various responses of the participants the results revealed that social media is widely used by secondary school students for non-beneficial activities and less used for gaining subject knowledge and acquiring learning basis. Surprisingly, however, participants were in support of the idea that social media access to students contributes a significant quota to their academy based on basis of belongingness. It concluded and recommended that, to the leaders, policy regarding social media to students should be amended to support the view that teachers can have the ability to teach students better ways they can use available social media. To the bloggers, it is recommended that the communication authority, TCRA should restrict those Bloggers who share and publish unwanted, unethical material and morally threatening content to youth. The content among others includes “UtamuRaha”, “Bongo Sex” and such porn content that students have access to. To the practitioners, the study recommends that teachers in schools should make sure that they keep a close eye on students' changes in behavior. Elements of homosexual behaviour and other forms of Internet-learned behaviour in school demonstrates the failure of close supervision of students use of media. We recommend that psychotherapy and guidance should be regularly provided by school teachers to lead students in achieving school goals and divert them from these behaviors. We also recommend that TCRA should block unsuitable content from school-based internet to keep students out of danger and help them to use the appropriate internet sites for serious learning and character formation. Keywords : Social media access, students learning. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-24-03 Publication date: August 31 st 2022

Cognitive Distortion While Attending Online Class: Study on Banjar College Student

Online learning has begun to take place in Indonesia since March 2020 simultaneously in all educational institutions due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 outbreak. Sudden changes make it difficult for students to process information and lead to various patterns of thinking errors which are known as cognitive distortions. This study aims to reveal the patterns of cognitive distortions that students have during the online lectures. The research design used is a phenomenological qualitative design. Analysis of cognitive distortions was collected through in-depth interviews and document studies to 8 Banjar ethnic students. The results of the study found that there were 3 cognitive distortions, namely: (1) catastrophizing; (2) all-or-nothing thinking; and (3) should statements. The effects of these cognitive distortions include feeling lazy, bored, afraid, uncomfortable, drowsy, shaking, and heart palpitations. In the context of student behavior, students also tend to neglect lectures, access social media, sleep, and go to hang out with friends. Further research is needed to explore student’s cognitive distortions in post-Covid-19 pandemic situation or with diverse populations.

Strengthening the Merci Mon Héros Campaign Through Adaptive Management: Application of Social Listening Methodology.

BackgroundBetween 2014 and 2018, the penetration of smartphones in sub-Saharan Africa increased from 10% to 30%, enabling increased access to the internet, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube. These platforms engage users in multidirectional communication and provide public health programs with the tools to inform and engage diverse audiences on a range of public health issues, as well as monitor opinions and behaviors on health topics.ObjectiveThis paper details the process used by the U.S. Agency for International Development–funded Breakthrough RESEARCH to apply social media monitoring and social listening techniques in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, and Togo for the adaptive management of the Merci Mon Héros campaign. We documented how these approaches were applied and how the lessons learned can be used to support future public health communication campaigns.MethodsThe process involved 6 steps: (1) ensure there is a sufficient volume of topic-specific web-based conversation in the target countries; (2) develop measures to monitor the campaign’s social media strategy; (3) identify search terms to assess campaign and related conversations; (4) quantitatively assess campaign audience demographics, campaign reach, and engagement through social media monitoring; (5) qualitatively assess audience attitudes, opinions, and behaviors and understand conversation context through social media listening; and (6) adapt campaign content and approach based on the analysis of social media data.ResultsWe analyzed posts across social media platforms from November 2019 to October 2020 based on identified key search terms related to family planning, reproductive health, menstruation, sexual activity, and gender. Based on the quantitative and qualitative assessments in steps 4 and 5, there were several adaptive shifts in the campaign’s content and approach, of which the following 3 shifts are highlighted. (1) Social media monitoring identified that the Facebook campaign fans were primarily male, which prompted the campaign to target calls to action to the male audience already following the campaign and shift marketing approaches to increase the proportion of female followers. (2) Shorter videos had a higher chance of being viewed in their entirety. In response to this, the campaign shortened video lengths and created screenshot teasers to promote videos. (3) The most negative sentiment related to the campaign videos was associated with beliefs against premarital sex. In response to this finding, the campaign included videos and Facebook Live sessions with religious leaders who promoted talking openly with young people to support intergenerational discussion about reproductive health.ConclusionsPrior to launching health campaigns, programs should test the most relevant social media platforms and their limitations. Inherent biases to internet and social media access are important challenges, and ethical considerations around data privacy must continue to guide the advances in this technology’s use for research. However, social listening and social media monitoring can be powerful monitoring and evaluation tools that can be used to aid the adaptive management of health campaigns that engage populations who have a digital presence.

Evidence on the role of social media in the illegal trade of Iranian wildlife

AbstractThe combination of increasing trade across an ever more globalized world and the ubiquity of social media access has led to unprecedented levels of wildlife exploitation. In this study, we opportunistically surveyed Instagram and Telegram from 2019 to 2020, two of Iran's most prominent social media platforms, for advertisements of illegally captured wildlife in Iran. In total we documented 305 advertisements for 63 species, including birds (29%), amphibians (27%), reptiles (26%), and mammals (17%). Trade was most active in June, which may be due to increased availability of young animals, following spring births. The majority of the species advertised for sale (65%) were classified by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Least Concern, and 5% of the species we documented as being traded are Endangered. Some Endangered species advertised for sale were Caspian seal and Saker falcon. While the sale of all species is illegal in Iran, 25% of species were also listed on CITES as being prohibited for international trade. However, these domestic and international laws are not well‐enforced within Iran, in light of the scale of open trade we observed. We recommend that authorities devote more time to monitoring these online platforms, and that resources are provided to in‐country enforcement efforts during the spring and summer, the observed peak of capture and trade. We also suggest that further research be conducted into the sources of wildlife, motivations for selling wildlife, and motivations for purchasing wildlife.

The politics of the internet and social media in Africa: three bases of knowledge for advancing research

ABSTRACT Researchers are studying a range of questions relating to the impact of social media in Africa, particularly in light of the rise of fake news, internet and social media shutdowns, and violence against activists posting critical content online. Other researchers, however, argue that some more fundamental issues need to be examined, such as who is using social media and how this influences politics. This research note examines the evolution of research on the politics of internet and social media in Africa and argues that three bases of knowledge must be prioritized in future research. These are the physical character of the internet networks, the meaning of internet and social media access, and the characteristics of users and their engagement or disengagement. These arguments are supported by primary and secondary data collected through field research in Uganda and Tanzania.

Novel Use of Video Logs to Deliver Educational Interventions to Black Women for Disease Prevention.

IntroductionCisgender Black women comprise 67% of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses among women in the South and are 11 times more likely to become HIV positive than White women in Texas. Optimal progress toward ending the HIV epidemic requires strategies that will interrupt transmission pathways in hotspot locations like Harris County, TX. Researchers are calling for public health interventions that can prevent HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) transmission; thus, we launched the first video log (vlog)-based, pilot HIV prevention intervention.MethodsIn a prospective. randomized controlled trial of two educational intervention strategies delivered as vlogs eligible participants were randomized to either 1) an interactive gaming, education-based strategy, or 2) a storytelling, education-based strategy. Eligible participants were cisgender Black women being seen in the emergency department (ED) for a non-emergent condition who reported recent condomless heterosexual sex, were ages 18–45, and had social media access. Enrolled women completed a screening assessment, informed consent, randomization, and 10-item pre-and-post assessments with true/false statements before and after viewing a brief vlog on a tablet device to identify changes in knowledge before and after being educated on HIV/STI transmission.ResultsTwenty-six women were randomized to the Taboo group, an interactive gaming, education-based strategy, (14 [53.8%]), or to storytelling, an education-based strategy using non-fictional and fictional case scenarios (12 [46.2%]). Taboo participants self-identified as African-American (12 [85.7%]), Black (1 [7.1%]) or “other” (1 [7.1%]), were younger (28.6% were ≥ 30 years), single (57.1%), reported a previous STI (8 [57.1%]), and were likely employed (57.2%). Storytelling participants self-identified as African-American (7 [58.3%]) or Black (5 [41.7%]), were older (49.9% were ≥ 30 years), in a relationship but not married (50%), and half were unemployed. Highest level of education and monthly income varied. The storytelling strategy increased knowledge in two areas and the Taboo strategy increased knowledge in one. No intervention effect was identified in three areas, and a significant decrease in knowledge (P < .0001) was discerned in eight areas for Taboo and six areas for storytelling.ConclusionFurther research is necessary to confirm whether delivery of HIV prevention interventions with vlogs is a useful approach for HIV-vulnerable populations. Findings suggest that vlogs are a feasible approach to brief behavioral interventions during an ED visit.

#HandsoffEthiopia: ‘Partiality’, Polarization and Ethiopia’s Tigray Conflict

Abstract Over a year since the outbreak of war in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, the fighting continues. Indeed, the conflict theatre has now expanded considerably, with devastating consequences for many Ethiopians. With atrocities committed by all sides and a profound humanitarian crisis underway, the conflict currently stands as testament to the emptiness of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) commitments made by states and organisations across the world. This essay highlights two problematiques the Tigray conflict, and its consequences, raise for supporters and practitioners of R2P. The first relates to the relationships between R2P, social media access and governance, the second the ease with which R2P calls by Western actors especially can intersect with domestic discourses around cynical, untrustworthy and disingenuous outsiders. This is particularly so in a region where Western agendas have traditionally focused on their own geo-strategic and security concerns. Both, it is suggested, have served to reinforce the positions of the respective belligerents, making peace – sadly – a more distant prospect.

“Authentic” digital inclusion? Dis/ability performances on social media by users with concealable communicative disabilities

Despite the increased technical accessibility of social media, disabled users’ attempts to be socially included are still understudied. These users’ agency-based choices are impacted by constant able-bodied surveillance and disciplining, especially when it comes to dis/ability visibility and potential context collapse. This paper develops the concept of disability performance within social media studies, presenting a qualitative study of social media users with concealable communicative disabilities: autistics, hard-of-hearing and people who stutter. Four factors were found to shape users’ dis/ability performances: the use of social media interfaces for the compartmentalization of disabled identity; users’ continuous efforts to make their social environment inclusionary; the centrality of users’ disabled identity and intersectionality; and the design of the performance’s message. Together, these show disability performances to be deliberate expressions of agency on the part of vulnerable social media users, who perform dis/ability according to their own evaluation of authenticity to increase their social inclusion.

Fake News Classification Based on Content Level Features

Due to the openness and easy accessibility of online social media (OSM), anyone can easily contribute a simple paragraph of text to express their opinion on an article that they have seen. Without access control mechanisms, it has been reported that there are many suspicious messages and accounts spreading across multiple platforms. Accordingly, identifying and labeling fake news is a demanding problem due to the massive amount of heterogeneous content. In essence, the functions of machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) are to enhance, speed up, and automate the analytical process. Therefore, this unstructured text can be transformed into meaningful data and insights. In this paper, the combination of ML and NLP are implemented to classify fake news based on an open, large and labeled corpus on Twitter. In this case, we compare several state-of-the-art ML and neural network models based on content-only features. To enhance classification performance, before the training process, the term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) features were applied in ML training, while word embedding was utilized in neural network training. By implementing ML and NLP methods, all the traditional models have greater than 85% accuracy. All the neural network models have greater than 90% accuracy. From the experiments, we found that the neural network models outperform the traditional ML models by, on average, approximately 6% precision, with all neural network models reaching up to 90% accuracy.

Investigating mobile users’ intention: Technology acceptance and privacy perspectives

Smartphones are essential devices in most people’s lives nowadays. There are many benefits offered by smartphones, such as: the ability to access the internet, e-mail, access social media, etc. Their advanced features and ease of use enhances their functionality including storing contacts, photos, videos and other sensitive information. Thus, smartphones become attractive target for hackers especially with regard to get unauthorized access to sensitive data from users that violates their privacy. This paper investigated the impact of users’ intention in using a smartphone despite privacy threats that can occur. Questionnaires were distributed to 300 respondents who were actively using a smartphone to obtain the study data. The level of relationships among the constructs were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results of this study indicate that the factors that influence users in using a smartphone are mobile users’ information privacy concern, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness.

GAMBARAN KEWARGAAN DIGITAL PADA SISWA MADRASAH ALIYAH NEGERI BERDASARKAN PERSPEKTIF GENDER

ABSTRACTThe rapidly developing digital media has currently been forcing every individual to become a digital citizen. Not exceptionally, students who are at the stage of adolescent development are considered active digital citizens. Research has shown that male students access social media more often than female students. However, it remained unknown how both male and female students in Indonesia develop digital citizenship. This study aims to explore differences in the ability of digital citizenship in two State Islamic High School’s (MAN) students in terms of gender. The study used a mixed method approach sampling 394 students from two madrasah in Bandung. In the quantitative phase, a survey questionnaire was distributed to the sampled students from which six groups of students were selected to participate in the qualitative phase. An FGD was conducted with each of the six groups to understand further their ability in digital citizenship. The results showed female students’ ability in digital citizenship is higher than male. Both male and female students are strong in the aspect of digital security; but they are weak in digital wellbeing and digital civic engagement respectively. This study hopefully contributes to the curriculum development in MAN by taking into account the differences in order to create more effective digital citizens. Keyword: digital citizenship, male, female

What do Medical Students Post Online? Perception on Medical Professionalism in Social Media among Medical Students in Universiti Putra Malaysia

The fast development and accessibility of social media has created an important potential for improvements in the medical field. However, it may also increase the risk of unprofessional conduct among its users including medical students. This study aimed to determine the pattern of social media usage and the self-perceived online professionalism among medical students in one public university in Malaysia. A cross sectional study using a questionnaire was conducted. The questionnaire consisted of participant's demographic details and perception of professionalism on social media usage, using a 5-point Likert scale. The descriptive data analysis was done using SPSS V21.0. Results showed majority (80-93%) denied making postings related to defamation, racism, gender discrimination, potential breach of confidentiality and bad behaviour. 30% shared their social media accounts and postings to public audience and 22% will accept their patients as friends or followers. Most students denied any improper posting related to potential unprofessional statements and behaviour hence perceived as still guarding their online professional conduct. However, some are still not sure about issues related to privacy settings and doctor-patient boundaries on social media. Hence, it is important to educate medical students regarding online medical professionalism and the potential challenges associated with online interaction via social media. Keywords: Social media, medical students, medical professionalism, online conduct, Malaysia.

Mapping science: tools for bibliometric and altmetric studies

Introduction. The study investigates whether online attention, carried out on social media or by video tutorials, affects the popularity of these tools in the research community. Method. We collected data from the Web of Science, Scopus, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, using web-scraping tools. Bibliometrics, altmetrics and webometrics were applied to process the data and to analyse Gephi, Sci2 Tool, VOSviewer, Pajek, CiteSpace and HistCite. Analysis. Statistical and network analyses, and YouTube analytics, were used. The tools’ interfaces were assessed in the preliminary stage of the comparison. The results were plotted on charts and graphs, and compared. Results. Social media and video tutorials had minimal influence on the popularity of different tools, as reflected by the number of papers within the Web of Science and Scopus where they featured. However, the small but constant growth of publications mentioning Gephi could be a result of Twitter promotion and a high number of video tutorials. The authors proposed four directions for further comparisons of science mapping software. Conclusions. This work shows that biblio- and scientometricians are not influenced by social media visibility or accessibility of video tutorials. Future research on this topic could focus on evaluating the tools, their features and usability, or the availability of workshops.

Seeking Mental Health Support Among College Students in Video-Based Social Media: Content and Statistical Analysis of YouTube Videos.

BackgroundMental health is a highly stigmatized disease, especially for young people. Due to its free, accessible format, college students increasingly use video-based social media for many aspects of information needs, including how-to tips, career, or health-related needs. The accessibility of video-based social media brings potential in supporting stigmatized contexts, such as college students’ mental health. Understanding which kinds of videos about college students’ mental health have increased viewer engagement will help build a foundation for exploring this potential. Little research has been done to identify video types systematically, how they have changed over time, and their associations on viewer engagement both short term and long term.ObjectiveThis study aims to identify strategies for using video-based social media to combat stigmatized diseases, such as mental health, among college students. We identify who, with what perspective, purpose, and content, makes up the videos available on social media (ie, YouTube) about college students’ mental health and how these factors associate with viewer engagement. We then identify effective strategies for designing video-based social media content for supporting college students’ mental health.MethodsWe performed inductive content analysis to identify different types of YouTube videos concerning college students’ mental health (N=452) according to video attributes, including poster, perspective, and purpose. Time analysis showed how video types have changed over time. Fisher’s exact test was used to examine the relationships between video attributes. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to test the association between video types and viewer engagement. Lastly, we investigated the difference in viewer engagement across time between two major types of videos (ie, individuals’ storytelling and organization’s informational videos).ResultsTime trend analysis showed a notable increase in the number of (1) videos by individuals, (2) videos that represent students’ perspectives, and (3) videos that share stories and experiential knowledge over the recent years. Fisher’s exact test found all video attributes (ie, poster, perspective, and purpose) are significantly correlated with each other. In addition, the Mann-Whitney U test found that poster (individual vs organization) and purpose (storytelling vs sharing information) type has a significant association with viewer engagement (P<.001). Lastly, individuals’ storytelling videos had a greater engagement in the short term and the long term.ConclusionsThe study shows that YouTube videos on college students’ mental health can be well differentiated by the types of posters and the purpose of the videos. Taken together, the videos where individuals share their personal stories, as well as experiential knowledge (ie, tips and advice), engaged more viewers in both the short term and long term. Individuals’ videos on YouTube showed the potential to support college students' mental health in unique ways, such as providing social support, validating experience, and sharing the positive experience of help-seeking.

Adopting social media for learning among university students: a developing country perspective

ABSTRACT This article investigates the reasons that trigger students to access social media, the challenges faced and what needs to be done to ensure that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) can adopt the use of social media in learning. This study uses a narrative cross-sectional survey conducted using qualitative data collection techniques based on interviews with students and lecturers from Makerere University. Results suggest that students access social media to get updates around the world, carry out research, entertainment, carry out business, peer pressure, keep up with friends and avoid bad habits. Also, our study identified challenges such as unnecessary information, expensive data, delays in giving feedback, limited skills, slow internet connections, miss conduct of users, inability to own gadgets and negative attitude hindering effective adoption of social media for learning. Results further suggest various measures on how social media can be integrated in learning. This study indicates that more research is needed into the methods and implications of increased social media learning in Uganda.

The impact of social media use on suicide-related behavior

Cyberbullying and addictive behavior are examples of the negative impacts that social media use that lead to suicidal thoughts. This study uses a systematic literature review to show the consequences of using social media that lead to suicidal behavior in various parts of the world. 37 articles were used to support this study that consists of 19 articles about cyberbullying and 18 articles about social media addiction. According to the findings of this report, there is a connection between cyberbullying and internet addiction and an increased risk of suicide or suicidal behavior among teenagers due to social media access. Addictive behavior of social media use has a direct effect on mental health and causes depression. Meanwhile, cyberbullying causes a lack of self-confidence, depression, frustration, self-awareness, and suicidal thoughts. Suicide is a way out for teenagers who experience various problems. Suicide prevention is also discussed.

Getting social: postgraduate students use of social media

ABSTRACT Social media are becoming increasingly popular in a professional context and, if used appropriately, can be beneficial to postgraduate students. Little is known regarding the extent to which postgraduate students engage with social media for postgraduate purposes. The present study aimed to understand postgraduate students’ general use of social media, as well as investigate social media use specifically for postgraduate (educational and/or scientific) purposes. A total of 231 postgraduate students from 45 countries completed a mixed-methods survey. Instagram was the most frequently used social media platform overall, with Twitter being the most commonly used for postgraduate purposes. Most students posted educational and/or scientific content on social media platforms, with approximately one-third having a social media account specific for postgraduate/scientific content. The most common reasons postgraduate students access social media for postgraduate-related purposes were personal connection with community, science communication, motivations and learning, and networking. The most common reasons for posting postgraduate content online were self-branding, accessing a broad audience, science communication, and building a postgraduate community. Overall, postgraduate students are commonly using social media for postgraduate purposes which presents opportunities to mitigate pitfalls of the student experience and promote positive mental health among this group.

Community Activities Amid Activity Restrictions during the Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic in North Sumatra

BACKGROUND: The increase in coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 transmission cases in Indonesia has caused the government to impose restrictions on community activities with emergency PPKM since July 3, 2021. Activity restrictions prevent community from being able to meet, interact, and communicate face-to-face freely even though communication activities are very essential in human life. AIM: This study aimed to explore and analyze the communication activities of community living in Medan City during the implementation of emergency PPKM. METHODS: The research method used was a qualitative approach by conducting open online interviews with 20 Medan people with various backgrounds, ranging from students, traders, and formal workers to housewives. The interview was conducted personally. The data obtained were analyzed qualitatively using Nvivo12 application. To maintain the credibility of the research data, triangulation was conducted by carrying out confirmation of the research results to the informants. RESULTS: The research results indicated that communities encountered obstacles and problems in communication activities because they cannot meet other people freely due to the activities restriction conducted by the government. The students then adjusted to the obstacles by conducting online communication to meet the needs of communication. CONCLUSION: The communities carried out communication activities online to interact and fulfill the necessities of life. People who are inhibited from doing activities outside their homes are still looking for information about the development of COVID-19 cases and where the vaccination site is. In addition, people rely on online shopping applications for daily needs and access social media more to fill boredom because they stay at home all day.

The Web of Hate: Fragmentation of Media Authority and its Link to Right-Wing Populism and Cyber Islamophobia

The twenty-first century has been marked strongly with two extremely significant developments, firstly the increase in international terror attacks and secondly the evolution of media and information consumption based on technological advancements. These phenomena together have led to the figurative and literal blowing up of mass media coverage, but, increasingly and more importantly, social media traffic. This shift in information consumption by the general public, especially after terror attacks, is leading to a fragmentation of authority that traditional media gained after years of being the monopoly of verified information exchange. The increased usage and wide accessibility of social media is allowing more people to feel connected globally after terror attacks and is leading to the creation of mediascapes by defining in-groups of like-minded people against Islam, as a common enemy, which leads to a drastic increase in online hate against Islam and Muslims. Digital mediascapes therefore have the ability to unify participants around an “us” that is specifically against the “other” that is labeled as an enemy. Islamophobia thus has become a useful tool for right-wing populists not only to gather a large following online but for right-wing parties to assemble electors in several European nation-states. This, in turn, can provoke the escalation of right-wing populism where people, who are experiencing the echo chamber first hand or those perceiving the viral developments from outside, can become easy prey for political influence. Therefore, social media groups, hashtags and sites can be seen as the feeding ground for right-wing populist political parties. Keywords: Echo-chamber, Islamophobia, cyberspace, social media, right-wing populism.