Objective: This study examined whether a brief, online social media literacy curriculum could improve digital competence and body image resilience among college students. Participants: Students enrolled in a general education wellness course at a Midwestern university were randomly assigned by course section to intervention or control groups. Methods: The intervention group completed a one-week online module with six short video lectures with embedded quizzes. Students completed pre- and post-intervention assessments, including the Social Media Competence Scale for College Students (SMCS-CS) and the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4). Results: Students in the intervention group showed significant improvements in Technical Utility (p = 0.005), Content Interpretation (p = 0.019), and Content Generation (p = 0.004). No significant differences emerged for Anticipatory Reflection or any SATAQ-4 subscales. Conclusion: A brief curriculum-integrated media literacy intervention improved multiple domains of social media competence but did not affect body image resilience.

From friends to followers: How social media influences the relationship between friends' behaviors and disordered eating in adult men and women.

This article examines how state ideologies and the conflictual structure of the international system interact with social processes that shape war and peace, and it explains why education is a central mechanism for mitigating international conflict. Using a qualitative, theory-driven synthesis of international relations, political sociology, and sociology of education, the paper identifies key pathways through which conflict is produced and reproduced: strategic insecurity under anarchy, ideological polarization, nationalism, and identity-based mobilization especially during political transitions. The analysis shows that schooling can amplify these dynamics through selective historical memory, exclusionary civic narratives, and segregated learning environments, but it can also reduce conflict risks by strengthening social cohesion, democratic competencies, and critical media literacy. The article concludes that conflict-sensitive education and peace-oriented social science curricula are not “add-ons” but institutional strategies that can reshape intergroup relations and increase resilience to ideological manipulation. The study contributes to social science education by linking macro-level conflict theories to concrete curricular and pedagogical interventions.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) prevention behavior is essential for reducing DM incidence among adolescents, a population increasingly exposed to lifestyle risks and heavily engaged with digital platforms. Social media provides a promising channel for health promotion, yet limited evidence explains how literacy in this medium supports preventive behaviors. This study aims to analyze the correlation between social media literacy and intention with DM prevention behavior among adolescent students. A cross-sectional design with purposive sampling was conducted involving 231 students aged 16 years in East Java, Indonesia. Data were collected using questionnaires measuring social media literacy, intention, and DM prevention behavior, while Spearman’s rho correlation <0.05 was applied for analysis. Descriptive findings showed that 58% of participants were female, 67.1% used more than three social media platforms, 39% accessed social media 3–4 hours daily, and 4.3% had a family history of DM. The analysis revealed significant positive correlations between social media literacy (p<0.001, r=0.325) and intention (p<0.001; r=0.305) with DM prevention behavior. Adolescents with higher literacy and stronger intentions were more likely to exhibit proactive DM prevention actions. These results demonstrate that emerging technologies, particularly social media, hold substantial potential as promotive and preventive tools for adolescent health. Enhancing social media literacy can improve adolescents’ ability to identify, interpret, and apply credible health information, supporting healthier behavioral choices. The study suggests that integrating digital health literacy into adolescent-focused programs may strengthen early preventive efforts and reduce future DM risk.

The Application of Lobbying and Negotiation Techniques in a Good Social Media Literacy Campaign Program on Students' Attitudes at Junior High School

Social media platforms are now inseparable from children as well as parents, making social media literacy a critical skill for maintaining family well-being in the digital age. This analysis explores whether social media literacy genuinely influences family well-being, as reflected in how each family member engages with social media. A systematic literature review was conducted using Antecedents, Decisions, Outcomes (ADO) and Theory, Context, Method (TCM) frameworks analyzing 66 studies. Findings identified five main antecedents: individual and psychological factors, social and family influences, access to media and technology, intervention and empowerment, and cultural and environmental context. These antecedents shape family decisions: responsible digital use, parental mediation, privacy, and the use of social media for education and advocacy, impacting the objective and subjective well-being of the family both positively and negatively. The review highlights theoretical, contextual and methodological gaps including geographical bias towards Western countries, the dominance of cross-sectional studies and limited focus on intergenerational digital literacy.

ABSTRACT Bangladesh is currently advancing more rapidly in its economic and technological domains. Bangladesh has developed on secularism, equality, justice, and freedom. This study examines the ramifications of radicalization in the southwestern region. The investigation is conducted using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. A primary random sample method was employed as the sampling procedure. This study included both primary and secondary data. A semistructured questionnaire was used throughout the field survey. One hundred and twenty survey responses, 20 persons engaged in an in‐depth interview (IDI), and four focus group discussions (FGD) served as data collection instruments. Political violence and instability are currently evident in the radicalization process in Bangladesh. The lack of voting, internal factions, petrol bomb explosions, political cases, and power struggles among political groupings has risen by 40% over the past decade. Individuals exhibit intolerance toward religious aspects and attempt to convert others to their faith; the response rate is 40%. Minority migration and assaults on minorities are poised to become extreme. Approximately 80% of individuals lack social media literacy. The prevalence of social media protection, hate speech, and responses to religious matters is escalating in southwest Bangladesh. The generational gap in radicalization is inverted; teenagers exhibit greater radicalism than individuals over 50 years old.

This study tested the Vibe Check intervention, designed to strength­­en adolescents’ affective social media literacy skills, operationalised as adaptive social media emotion regulation. A cluster-randomised controlled trial was conducted, in which 636 adolescents (M age = 13.78, SD = 0.66) were randomised by school to receive the intervention (n = 410) or a control session (n = 226). Surveys were completed one week before, immediately post-, and two weeks post-intervention, measuring adolescents’ social media literacy (cognitive and affective), indicators of online well-being (digital flourishing, positive and negative affect during SM use), and offline well-being (body esteem, body appearance ideals internalisation, fear of missing out, social well-being). Mixed-effects regressions demonstrated negative effects on social well-being, cognitive social media literacy, and digital flourishing (feeling-in-control subdimension) immediately post-intervention. However, a positive effect emerged two weeks later for digital flourishing (feeling-connected subdimension). The findings highlight the promise and complexity of affective social media literacy interventions, emphasising the importance of monitoring short- and longer-term effects.

<p><em>This article aims to explore the discourse narrative evolving from Salafi-Wahhabi scholars regarding Kalam (Islamic theology), including how this discourse is generated and disseminated. What was once a concern confined to a limited circle has now become a public issue accessible to anyone from diverse backgrounds. Thus, the discourse battle within Islamic thought has shifted its battleground, considering vastly different circumstances compared to its development in the past. This research falls under media studies utilizing content analysis. It delves deeply into the issues circulating on social media related to Salafi-Wahhabi preaching about Kalam (Islamic Theology). The findings of this article are twofold: Firstly, Salafi-Wahhabi groups often emphasize a discourse rejecting the use of theological speculation and philosophy in religious understanding. They argue that the Quran and Hadith as primary Islamic sources suffice as guidance in religious practices. They tend to reject rational and philosophical approaches in comprehending Islamic teachings, prioritizing a literal textual understanding. Salafi-Wahhabis stress literalism in religious interpretation and frequently view the understanding of Kalam (rational theology) as potentially confusing to creed and introducing concepts not found in sacred texts. Secondly, Salafi-Wahhabi groups have effectively utilized social media to disseminate their religious narrative. They possess significant financial support for producing high-quality religious content. Technological advancements have allowed them to reach broader and deeper audiences with their narrative. Social media has become a crucial tool in reinforcing their religious understanding and perspectives while also posing challenges in terms of social media literacy and religious tolerance.<strong></strong></em></p>

This study examines the views of Saudi students who study abroad about using social media to learn English. The research uses SWOT analysis and semi-structured interviews to examine how social media affects receptive and productive language skills. The research demonstrates that social media enhances student motivation, vocabulary development, and listening skills. However, participants mentioned their concerns about receiving no formal feedback and the prevalence of informal English usage, and feeling anxious about online criticism. The research included twelve participants who were degree program students in the United Kingdom, with six females and six males. The research demonstrates the requirement for organized support in digital language learning spaces while suggesting social media literacy should be added to language curriculum standards.

This is a commentary on the academic paper entitled “Intrinsic social media literacy: a public relations strategy addressing problematic social media use among teenagers globally.” PSMU is best defined as a non-substance-related disorder that results in the preoccupation

This article explores how social media is contributing to the medicalization of masculinity – specifically the pathologizing of boys and young men who do not reflect dominant masculine ideals. We illustrate how medicalization of masculinity intersects with hegemonic masculinity – the socially dominant and most valued form of masculinity. Boys and men who do not live up to these ideals may be diagnosed with conditions rather than recognizing systemic pressures. First, we consider ideals presented on social media platforms often perpetuate stereotypes around masculinity with images of the muscular man, exuding power and strength, who appears stoic and attractive to women. For those who do not measure up to the normative images, online communities, pseudo medical experts and clickbait offer avenues to remedy perceived problems. We explore the consequence of social media consumption and offer an epistemic approach to advance critical social media literacies. Our contribution is a new theoretical lens to advance discussions around literacies urgently needed in the digital age to accounts for the interplay between social media production, users, their choices, values and beliefs. We offer this theoretical approach to advance proficiencies so that boys and young men can more critically evaluate misinformation, disinformation and harmful norms on social media that perpetuate dominant versions of masculinity and the medicalization of those who do not measure up.

This study aimed to analyze the influence and improvement of the application of EthnoVlog media on students' social media literacy. This study used a quantitative approach. The product studied in this study was EthnoVlog media in the context of learning science on food and beverage additives carried out at MTs Al Uswah Bergas and SMP Negeri 1 Bergas. Purposive sampling was the method of sampling employed in this study. The researcher used the pre-experimental design approach, type one group pretest-posttest (single group pretest-posttest). According to the findings of the paired sample t-test on the SPSS output, H0 was rejected, and Ha was approved since the significance value was 0.000 < 0.005. This proves that EthnoVlog media influences social media. In addition, the influence of EthnoVlog media also increased students' N-Gain scores by 0.33 for SMP students in the medium category and by 0.26 in the low sort for MTs students. This shows that EthnoVlog media increases students' social media literacy. Based on the results of the data analysis, it can be concluded that EthnoVlog media in the context of learning science is categorized as a learning media that can influence students' social media literacy.

The concept of media literacy has developed into a sophisticated and dynamic field which attracts researchers from social science disciplines including communication and education. Multiple scholars have tried to define media literacy, but their definitions show both disciplinary viewpoints and changing communication requirements. The emergence of new media and multimodal communication requires a redefinition of current media literacy frameworks. This research conducts a systematic review of media literacy and new media literacy research to identify major similarities and differences and emerging trends through qualitative analysis of academic studies. The article examines the educational aspects of social media through multiple academic disciplines. Social media literacy requires immediate attention, yet experts disagree about the essential principles needed to develop educational programs. The main difference between traditional media literacy and new media literacy lies in their focus on content analysis versus user-generated content creation. The research provides a fresh understanding of social media literacy by identifying both commonalities and distinctions between media literacy and social media literacy.

Background: This experimental study explores how social media influences adolescent conformity behaviour and investigates underlying psychological mechanisms and individual differences. Objective: By aligning with the scope of the “AI-empowered Assistive Technology” special issue, our work provides theoretical insights into how AI-enabled systems—such as personalised social media literacy tools, adaptive feedback interfaces, and AI-driven content filtering mechanisms—can mitigate the impact of social pressure and support adolescents with lower self-esteem or higher social anxiety. Methods: In a 2 (social media influence: high vs. low) × 2 (source credibility: high vs. low) between-subjects design with 302 participants, results demonstrate that heightened social media influence significantly increases conformity behaviour (F(1, 298) = 73.26, p < .001, η 2 = .20), with perceived social pressure partially mediating this effect (indirect effect = 0.24, 95% CI [0.17, 0.33]). Self-esteem negatively moderates (β = −0.18, p < .001), while social anxiety positively moderates (β = 0.22, p < .001) this influence. Additionally, high source credibility amplifies conformity (F(1, 298) = 5.84, p = .016, η 2 = .02). Results: These findings illuminate the psychological dynamics of social media–induced conformity and underscore the role of individual differences in modulating this process. Conclusion: Specifically, AI applications could offer individualised interventions to enhance resilience and autonomy in digital social environments, addressing the needs of vulnerable users in assistive contexts. This interdisciplinary approach bridges psychological mechanisms of conformity with the design of AI-empowered assistive technologies for enhanced human–computer interaction and well-being in the digital age.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, with rural communities experiencing elevated risk. Youth in rural settings are particularly vulnerable, reporting worse health outcomes than their urban peers. The growing influence of social media has added complexity to adolescent health behaviors, particularly among youth experiencing challenges with physical and mental well-being. This qualitative study presents findings from a co-design initiative conducted with rural middle school students to examine adolescents’ views on body image, social media use, and engagement in physical activity, and to inform the development of the Hoosier Sport Re-Social intervention. Fourteen middle school students (grades 7–8) from a rural community participated in a structured co-design process spanning five sessions over nine weeks. A deductive thematic analysis was employed using Basic Psychological Needs Theory (BPNT) and Social Comparison Theory (SOCO) as guiding frameworks.

Social media, which refers to web or mobile based platforms that let users create, share, and engage with content, has emerged as a defining characteristic of the twenty first century. At first, the primary purposes of social media were information searching, buddy talk, and sharing amusement or images. However, these platforms are now powerful and limitless information sources in addition to being ways to contact with friends and acquaintances. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the fundamental knowledge and usage of social media by journalism education faculty. Social media literacy includes being aware of social media, knowing how it works, knowing the fundamentals of creating content, managing groups and conversations, and being aware of privacy hazards. According to the report, most journalism professors are social media literate and have a firm understanding of its function. Future research on incorporating social media into education may find this study to be a useful resource. It might be advantageous to support educators in making better use of social media for instruction. Social media does have benefits, but it also disseminates false information and fake news. Instead of growing the media's audience, poor use of social media and a breakdown in journalistic ethics could damage its reputation.

Social media usage among teenagers has become a serious concern due to the potential negative impacts of inadequate digital literacy. This community service research aims to analyze the effectiveness of community-based social media literacy training in enhancing understanding and skills for responsible social media use among teenagers in Nagari Rao-Rao, Sungai Tarab District, West Pasaman Regency. The methodology employed a participatory action research approach with structured training techniques conducted over six days for 60 MTs Plus Thawalib Darul Huda students. Data were collected through pre-test and post-test assessments, participatory observation, and focus group discussions. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. The results demonstrated significant improvements in understanding social media concepts (from 45% to 78%), awareness of psychological-social impacts (from 38% to 82%), and hoax identification skills (from 32% to 75%). Community-based training improved digital literacy among rural teenagers by incorporating local values and fostering active community participation. This approach successfully created a holistic learning ecosystem that integrates traditional wisdom with modern digital competencies, providing a culturally responsive model for digital literacy education in Islamic rural communities.

This study develops a “Bio-Social-Cognitive Dynamic Interaction Model” to explore seasonal mental health risks in Chinese adolescents. Using data from cross-sectional surveys (N = 6,121), longitudinal tracking (N = 1,000), and RCTs (N = 200), we assess mental health via PHQ-9, GAD-7, and SADQ scales. We analyze multidimensional indicators (melatonin, vitamin D, academic stress) via SEM and ARIMA, considering school stage and gender. Results show winter has the highest depression and anxiety scores (PHQ-9: M = 14.5 ± 4.8), linked to vitamin D deficiency (β=-0.25, p < 0.001) and social stress. Spring academic stress affects emotional stability via melatonin and sleep issues (β = 0.15, p = 0.002), while summer anxiety is tied to social overload and body dissatisfaction (β = 0.10, p = 0.04). Winter light therapy increases vitamin D (Δ = 8.2 ng/mL, p < 0.001) and reduces depression (ΔPHQ-9=-3.1, p = 0.005). We recommend seasonal interventions like winter light therapy, flexible spring exams, and summer social media literacy programs, and emphasize year-round monitoring for effective risk mitigation.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-18486-w.

Physicians significantly underutilize social media despite its potential for global medical communication and public education. Purposeful use of social media-with strategic content, optimized timing, and platform-specific approaches-can dramatically improve research dissemination and clinical influence. We outline challenges introduced by the shift from chronological timelines to algorithm-driven content delivery, which prioritizes engagement over evidence. These changes reduce the visibility of traditional scientific content. Our research confirms that posts with broad public appeal consistently generate higher engagement than narrow academic discussions. We present evidence-based case studies, including COVID-19 social media campaigns that reached over 4 million impressions per month and influenced public policy. We also highlight best practices for educational videos. Finally, we illustrate how online collaborations between researchers and families can improve clinical practice using the example of families of children with trisomy 18. Effective social media engagement requires visual abstracts, short videos, and simplified messages tailored for algorithms. Medical hashtags, strategic timing, and collaborations with ethical influencers can further enhance reach. When used ethically and strategically, social media becomes a transformative tool-combating misinformation, informing the public, and supporting professional advancement. For physicians in all specialties, social media literacy is becoming an essential skill for modern healthcare communication. IMPACT: Strategic use of social media empowers physicians to disseminate evidence-based research amidst misinformation and algorithmic bias. This article provides a practical framework for optimizing academic engagement online, bridging the gap between digital reach and academic scholarly recognition. Effective digital scholarship legitimizes science. It is essential to uphold credibility, influence public discourse, and support informed clinical care.