Age Of Social Media Research Articles

Beyond the Screen: An In-Depth Examination of Social Media Habits Among University Students

The purpose of this study is to examine the level of social media addiction among university students. The research was conducted during the spring semester of the 2022-2023 academic year with 386 students from both public and private/foundation universities. In this descriptive research, the "Social Media Addiction Scale" developed by Tutgun-Ünal and Deniz (2015) and the "Personal Information Form" developed by the researcher were utilized. Participants voluntarily joined the study, and data was collected online. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software, employing statistical methods (frequency, t-test, and ANOVA) appropriate for the research objectives. The findings suggest that students generally exhibit a low level of addiction to social media (slightly addicted), but demonstrate a moderate level of addiction in terms of engagement and mood regulation dimensions. The study found that gender does not affect social media addiction, but age and type of university do influence addiction levels. Notably, students from private or foundational universities showed higher addiction levels compared to those from public universities. Moreover, an increase in time spent on social media correlates with an increase in addiction level. These findings contribute to a better understanding of university students' social media usage habits.

Analyzing Instagram Posts on Hypothyroidism: Characteristics, Information Types, Quality, and Reliability.

Background and aims In the age of social media, a vast amount of information is widely and easily accessible. Platforms such as Instagram allow its users to post pictures and videos that can reach millions of users. This could be utilized by healthcare providers to provide education to a vast number of the population about a disease such as hypothyroidism with an easily digestible infographic. However, this easy accessibility comes with the risk of rampant misinformation. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of Instagram posts, the type of information, and the quality and reliability of information posted about hypothyroidism. Methodology This is a cross-sectional observational study that was conducted over the course of days on Instagram. Top posts meeting inclusion criteria under seven different hypothyroidism-related hashtags were surveyed for content and social media metrics by the authors utilizing Google Forms. The quality and reliability of the posts were analyzed using the global quality scale and DISCERN scales, respectively. The data were exported to an Excel sheet and analyzed using the SPSS software version 21.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Results A total of 629 posts met the inclusion criteria of which 62.5% were images and 37.5% were reels. The content heavily focused on the medical aspect of hypothyroidism with posts about symptoms (46.1%), prevention (39.59%), cause/etiology (36.41%), and treatment (34.34%). The median DISCERN score which reflects the reliability of the posts uploaded was highest for doctors at 3 and the least reliable posts were uploaded by dieticians, naturopathic doctors, and patients. This study found that the quality of posts uploaded by nutritionists and naturopathic doctors with a median Global Quality Score (GQS) score of 3. Conclusions There is a need to establish a quality control body that regulates the quality and reliability of the posts to curb misinformation and help patients gain easy access to reliable resources that will aid their decision-making.

Critical Thinking: Creating Job-Proof Skills for the Future of Work.

In this study, we explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the job market and argue for the growing importance of critical thinking skills in the face of job automation and changing work dynamics. Advancements in AI have the potential to disrupt various professions, including, for example, programming, legal work, and radiology. However, solely relying on AI systems can lead to errors and misjudgments, emphasizing the need for human oversight. The concept of "job-proof skills" is introduced, highlighting the importance of critical thinking, problem-solving, empathy, ethics, and other human attributes that machines cannot replicate with the same standards and agility. We maintain that critical thinking can be taught and learned through appropriate classroom instruction and transfer-focused approaches. The need for critical thinking skills is further reinforced by the influx of information and the spread of misinformation in the age of social media. Moreover, employers increasingly value critical thinking skills in their workforce, yet there exists a gap between the demand for these skills and the preparedness of college graduates. Critical thinking is not only essential for the future of work, but also for informed citizenship in an increasingly complex world. The potential impact of AI on job disruption, wages, and employment polarization is discussed, highlighting the correlation between jobs requiring critical thinking skills and their resistance to automation. We conclude by discussing collaborative efforts between universities and labor market organizations to adapt curricula and promote the development of critical thinking skills, drawing on examples from European initiatives. The need to prioritize critical thinking skills in education and address the evolving demands of the labor market is emphasized as a crucial step for navigating the future of work and opportunities for workers.

Fame democracy? Social media and visuality-based transformation of the public sphere

ABSTRACT We argue that a shift in the underlying values that inform people’s actions in the public sphere is taking place in the social media age. From ways of qualifying the public sphere as a space that prioritizes equality, mutual respect and careful deliberation, action that creates visibility, attention and followership is increasingly valued above all else. This change translates into a transformation of the public sphere that requires revisiting the conceptual tools of democratic publics. In contrast to the Habermasian normative approach, we suggest that an empirically grounded definition of the public sphere, discernible with tools from justification theory, enables identifying a wider variety of public actions and interrogating the different moral foundations of public spheres. Based on ongoing research on visual politicization, we argue that the world of fame increasingly challenges the valuation logics of the market and the civic worlds as the value base informing public action. We illustrate our argument with examples from our ethnographic work on social media activists, the figure of an influencer/politician, and social media actors countering the algorithmic logic of the present public sphere. Finally, we discuss these transformations’ consequences to democracy theory. We suggest a way towards a democracy theory which includes a plurality of arguments and values—even ones that may threaten democracy—as a remedy to the potentially blinding effects of civic normativity.

Animal Rescue Tourism: Supporting the Welfare and Rights of Domesticated Street Animals in the Age of Social Media

Summary This case focuses on domesticated animals in tourism and explores how animal rescue organisations can engage voluntourism to promote animal welfare and rights in the digital age. A key issue addressed is how social media can be both harmful and beneficial for animals in tourism. In terms of the latter, the case shows how an animal rescue organisation in India has leveraged social media to heighten awareness and engagement in animal welfare and rights through tourism. Rather than partake in harmful wildlife selfies or unwittingly support cruel industry practices, voluntourists actively help to rescue and rehabilitate injured and ill street animals and further promote the cause by sharing their experiences online. Through detailing a real-world example of an organisation that promotes animal rights while simultaneously providing voluntourists with meaningful experiences, this case study encourages reader reflection on animal ethics in tourism. Interested stakeholders, including other animal rescue organisations, can use and adopt the lessons learnt to achieve similar positive outcomes. Information © The Author 2023

Exploring the Case: Animal Rescue Tourism: Supporting the Welfare and Rights of Domesticated Street Animals in the Age of Social Media

Introduction Animal Aid Unlimited (AAU), an animal rescue organisation in India, provides a case where the welfare and rights of domesticated street animals are supported through social media and volunteer tourism. AAU’s online activities and popular videos have generated international recognition and their animal-based volunteer programme provides visitors and tourists with meaningful experiences. Together, these efforts have led to increased awareness and donations that are used to enhance positive impacts for animals’ lives. The intersections of animal ethics, tourism and digitalism provide a fascinating space and a plethora of opportunities for research, study and teaching. A number of avenues for further research, questions for discussion and activities to apply the key theories and concepts surrounding animal rescue tourism are provided in this exploring the case.

Just an Illusion?

Just an Illusion?

Let's put a smile on that face-A positive facial expression improves aesthetics of portrait photographs.

In today's age of social media and smartphones, portraits-such as selfies or pictures of friends and family-are very frequently produced, shared and viewed images. Despite their prevalence, the psychological factors that characterize a 'good' photo-one that people will generally like, keep, and think is especially aesthetically pleasing-are not well understood. Here, we studied how a subtle change in facial expression (smiling) in portraits determines their aesthetic image value (beyond a more positive appearance of the depicted person). We used AI-based image processing tools in a broad set of portrait photographs and generated neutral and slightly smiling versions of the same pictures. Consistent across two experiments, portraits with a subtle smile increased both spontaneous aesthetic preferences in a swiping task as well as improving more explicit aesthetic ratings after prolonged viewing. Participants distinguished between aspects associated with image beauty and the depicted person's attractiveness, resulting in specific interactions between variables related to participant traits, image content, and task. Our study confirms that a subtle-and in this case fully artificial-smile reliably increases the aesthetic quality of portraits, illustrating how current image processing methods can target psychologically important variables and thereby increase the aesthetic value of photographs.

The Use of Digital Media and Security Precautions in Adulthood

The use of digital media through chatting, online conferencing, or browsing has become a leisure activity for many people, but it is not necessarily characterized by caution. Given the possibilities for misuse of data, the question of whether users actually implement security precautions and pay attention to protection of their data is important. The present study examines whether the use of digital media or security precautions is associated with age, commitment to technology (feelings of competence and control in dealing with technology), and flexible goal adjustment (the capacity to adjust personal goals in difficult life situations). In addition, we examine whether age differences in the use of social media (e.g., Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype, and Zoom) are moderated by the commitment to technology and flexible goal adjustment. A total of 841 adults between 19 and 71 years of age ( M age = 43.57 ; SD = 15.12 ) participated in a cross-sectional questionnaire study. Age was positively correlated with security precautions but negatively with the use of social media. Security precautions and the use of digital social networks were correlated significantly with general flexibility of goal adjustment and technology commitment, even after age and gender were controlled with a structural equation model. Moderation analyses revealed that the relation between social media use and age was weaker among participants with higher degrees of technology commitment and flexible goal adjustment. We discuss the extent to which flexible goal adjustment and technology commitment can provide a mental precondition that promotes both digitized leisure activity and security precautions.

Shepherd Mpofu: The politics of laughter in the social media age: perspectives from the global south

Shepherd Mpofu: <i>The politics of laughter in the social media age: perspectives from the global south</i>

Evaluating Diversity Promotion on Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Program Websites and Instagram Accounts.

Medical students applying to residency, including those from underrepresented groups, strongly value cultural fit and program diversity. Program websites and social media are thus an influential information source for prospective applicants and recruitment tool for residencies. We evaluated whether and how integrated plastic surgery residency program websites and social media display commitments to diversity online. We evaluated program websites for 8 predetermined diversity elements, (1) nondiscrimination and (2) diversity statements, (3) community resources, (4) faculty and (5) resident biographies, (6) faculty and (7) resident photographs, and (8) resident resources, and assessed Instagram accounts for diversity-related images, captions, and hashtags. Our analysis used Mann-Whitney U, chi-squared, and t tests; significance level was P < 0.05. We reviewed 82 program websites with a mean of 3.4 ± 1.4 diversity elements. Resident (n = 76, 92.7%) and faculty photographs (n = 65, 79.3%) and resident biographies (n = 43, 52.4%) were the most common. Seventy programs (85.4%) had Instagram accounts, the majority of which (n = 41, 58.6%) shared content related to diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, and/or sexual orientation. Programs located in smaller cities were more likely to have ≥4 website diversity elements (P = 0.014) and mention diversity on Instagram (P = 0.0037). Programs with women chairs/chiefs were more likely to mention diversity on Instagram (P = 0.007). In the age of virtual recruitment, program websites and social media should provide sufficient information, described in our diversity element checklist, to help prospective applicants determine fit from a diversity perspective. Residents, who often contribute to program social media, and women chairs/chiefs may be critical to driving diversity promotion.

Shaping the Media Landscape: Exploring Media User Consumption in the Age of Social Media

The innovation in social media and digital technology has profoundly transformed media user consumption patterns and habits, significantly impacting the Media, Entertainment, and Information (MEI) industry. Among the various sectors affected, the news industry stands out as one of the most profoundly influenced. This article employs the news industry as a case study and delves into changes in audience behavior and media organizational relationships, alterations in news content, and dissemination methods to further dissect the shifts in the ways users access news. Consequently, it derives insights into how media user behavior changes impact the news industry.

Victory and Virality: War in the Age of Social Media

Abstract: Social media platforms have altered the way societies interact with war. The use of social media triggered a paradigm shift in terms of targeting audiences, influencing the construct of strategic narratives, and spreading (dis)information. Social networks like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and WhatsApp enable users to follow military action in almost real-time and in greater detail than ever before. The weaponization of social media is targeting our attention, and in parallel with the actual war, a battle for our hearts and minds is being fought with memes, viral tweets, and video clips. The war in Ukraine is not the first to be documented on social media, but it is definitely the most viral one. This article highlights the role of social media and, in particular, how both Russia and Ukraine have used TikTok in the first months of the conflict.

An Implementation of Machine Learning Algorithm for Fake News Detection

Fake news is a growing concern in the age of social media, as it can spread rapidly and have serious consequences. To combat this issue, machine learning techniques have been used for fake news detection. In this study, we propose two models, LSTM and SVM, for fake news detection. The LSTM model is a deep learning algorithm that is particularly suited to sequential data such as text. It can capture long-term dependencies in the text and has shown promising results in natural language processing tasks. The SVM model, on the other hand, is a classical machine learning algorithm that has been widely used for classification tasks. To evaluate the performance of the proposed models, we conducted experiments on a dataset of news articles. Our results show that both models achieve high accuracy in detecting fake news. However, the LSTM model outperforms the SVM model with an accuracy of 94% compared to 89%. Furthermore, we conducted a feature importance analysis to determine the most important features for detecting fake news. The results show that the presence of certain words and phrases, such as "unverified" and "anonymous sources", are strong indicators of fake news. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the effectiveness of using machine learning techniques, particularly LSTM and SVM, for detecting fake news. This research can be applied to assist individuals and organizations in identifying and combating fake news in the digital age.

Superfund Sites and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in New Jersey State: A Photo Essay.

In 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), became law, with one component being an investment to clean-up Superfund and Brownfield sites. Through BIL funding, the Environmental Protection Agency announced $3.5 billion to clean-up Superfund sites that have been awaiting funding for years in mostly historically underserved communities. As in many states, the 3 Superfund sites used as examples in this essay are in a metropolitan or surrounding area and in residential communities. The photos in this essay help highlight how hazardous waste sites have come to look like normal industrial sites and that communities are often unaware of the dangerous exposures they face. The author suggests that in the age of social media, taking pictures and documentation of hazardous waste sites today in our communities can help mobilize public awareness and drive action to be taken toward delayed clean-up.

National Reconciliation in the Age of New Social Media

At first glance, there seems to be a shared mission between social media’s promise of increased dissemination of information and truth commissions’ commitment to truth, granting victims a voice, and safeguarding people’s right to information—which would suggest that the rise of the former could only empower the latter. This study suggests otherwise. I argue that social media can impede truth commissions’ liberal vision that celebrates “speaking” as synonymous with “healing” and hails publicizing victims’ testimonies as key to facilitating national reconciliation. Through a study of the Tunisian Truth and Dignity Commission’s Facebook-mediated public hearings, I analyze these platforms’ algorithmic mode of content circulation and argue that one of its less analyzed features is its “war on silence.” While “voice” has been celebrated and silence decried in human rights discourse, I analyze silence as a “gap in knowledge” and argue for its role in forging empathetic publics and mediating reconciliation.

Understanding Audience Emotional Needs in Crisis Journalism: The Boston Globe’s Social Media Coverage of the Boston Marathon Bombing

ABSTRACT This study examines the interaction between journalistic news posts and audience comments during a crisis, with attention to how various messaging approaches converged during the aftermath of the Boston Marathon Bombing—the first major terrorist incident of the social media age. Using Taylor’s Six-Segment Message Strategy Wheel, this manuscript explores how journalists and commenters responded to informational and emotional needs communicated on social media. Both inductive and deductive content analysis evaluated comments and posts on The Boston Globe’s Facebook page during the one-year period post-bombing. The findings highlight that The Globe’s social media coverage centered on meeting emotional needs rather than just providing updates and breaking news. Posts integrating sensory and social content received more thoughtful audience engagement than those that focused on the facts, implying that there may be situations where readers are better served by crisis journalism that addresses informational and emotional needs.

Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst: Social media posted by participants in stem cell clinical trials

This article examines the influence of social media posts on clinical trials involving stem cell–based interventions. Based on the literature review, we identified three potential risks associated with social media posts regarding clinical trials that involve stem cell–based interventions: (1) threats to scientific validity, (2) amplification of excessive expectations, and (3) breaches of confidentiality. Additionally, preliminary recommendations are provided to safeguard the value of stem cell clinical trials for future patients in the age of social media. Our approach aims to safeguard the well-being of forthcoming participants and ensure the scientific validity of stem cell research, as well as possibly aid in the further development of shared guidelines for posting stem cell clinical trial information on social media platforms.

Social media information literacy: Conceptualization and associations with information overload, news avoidance and conspiracy mentality

In this study, we present a novel scale for measuring social media information literacy (SMIL) that encompasses six sub-dimensions: navigation, curation, appraisal, comprehension, creation, and interaction. We also examine antecedents of SMIL, its association with information overload, and possible indirect consequences such as news avoidance and conspiracy thinking. Relying on a two-wave panel dataset (n = 901), we first used factor analysis to test the proposed measurement. The results showed that the six dimensions were empirically distinct and loaded on a higher order SMIL factor. In a second step, we explored antecedents and outcomes of SMIL and its sub-dimensions. We found that not age, but education and frequency of social media use were positively associated with gains in SMIL. Furthermore, SMIL was associated with a decrease in information overload. Information overload, in turn, was associated with a decrease in news avoidance and an increase in conspiracy mentality. Taken together, our results lend support that SMIL may support positive civic outcomes by its potential role in lowering information overload. Helping citizens to acquire SMIL may be one valuable measure to foster democratic resilience.

Framing Leadership Challenges in the Digital Age: The Role of Senior Leaders

The Digital Age innovations greatly change how people gain information, communicate,work, make decisions, solve problems and even how they spend their spare time.It certainly effects trust relations at workplace between leaders and followers posinggreat challenges for leaders, especially for senior ones who do not belong to the so-callediGeneration, those who were not born into the age of social media, automatization,artificial intelligence, and the jungle of millions of apps. As a result, we can observe awidening generational gap between junior and senior leaders. Nevertheless, how cansenior leaders drive the change in the Digital Age without having the necessary digitalmaturity? What are the implications and challenges for leadership? TransformationalLeadership is proven to be the most effective leadership approach but without mutualtrust, leaders will have no other choice than employ transactional leadershipapproaches which is less effective. Thus, the question how to maintain trustfulrelationship at workplace between trustee and trustor in the world of digitalization israther important. It is even more significant in military where people need to trusteach other with their lives. This paper aims to frame this problem and raise awarenessof this phenomena to initiate further research and discussions on the challenges ofsenior leaders in the Digital Age.