Research on the relationship between emotion regulation and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) among adolescent social media users in Indonesia remains relatively limited, even though adolescents aged 13–18 years are highly intensive users of digital technology. This study aimed to clarify the direction and strength of the relationship between emotion regulation and FoMO among adolescent social media users. A quantitative approach with a correlational study design was employed, involving 165 adolescents aged 13–18 years selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected online via Google Forms using an emotion regulation scale (covering cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) and a FoMO scale (covering anxiety, need to belong, addiction, and need of popularity). The instruments demonstrated good reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.798 for emotion regulation and 0.872 for FoMO. Data were analyzed using Pearson Product–Moment correlation and simple linear regression with the aid of SPSS. The results indicated a significant positive relationship between emotion regulation and FoMO (R = 0.549; p = 0.000), with an explained variance of 30.2% (R² = 0.302), meaning that a portion of the variance in FoMO among adolescents can be accounted for by their level of emotion regulation. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening emotion regulation in the context of adolescents’ social media use and open opportunities for further research involving additional psychological variables and longitudinal designs to better understand the long-term dynamics of FoMO in the digital generation.

This study critically examines the emerging phenomenon of celebrity preachers as a significant form of religious commodification within the realm of digital da’wah. The rapid proliferation of social media has fundamentally transformed how religious messages are disseminated, with platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok becoming primary channels. Utilizing a quantitative methodology that combines comprehensive literature studies with online questionnaires distributed to social media users, this research investigates public perceptions regarding digital da’wah practices and high-profile preachers. The findings reveal a commodification process characterized by three key aspects: the tailoring of content to suit market preferences, the shift of audiences into active consumers, and the strategic construction of public images by preachers to sustain popularity. While respondents value the accessibility of digital da’wah, they strongly emphasize the necessity of ethical boundaries to preserve its spiritual essence. Consequently, digital da’wah requires sincerity, scholarly integrity, and moral responsibility to remain an authentic medium for Islamic teachings.

Social media behavior is a promising source of early indicators for psychological distress; however, predictive models often lack transparency, limiting their adoption in mental health settings. This paper describes an explainable machine learning framework for predicting self-reported depression risk based on behavioral features collected from 481 anonymized social media users. Three supervised learning models were tested using a nested 5 × 5 cross-validation strategy, with Random Forest yielding the strongest performance (accuracy = 84.2%, AUC = 0.88). Model calibration analysis using reliability curves and Expected Calibration Error (ECE) demonstrated that Random Forest provides well-calibrated probability estimates suitable for binary High/Low risk assessment. Explainability was integrated using SHAP to identify key behavioral markers, including screen time, passive scrolling, nighttime usage, and stress-driven engagement. Stability testing across multiple random seeds revealed consistent feature ranking patterns, supporting the reliability of the explanations. To showcase real-world applicability, we outline a prototype XAI-driven digital intervention workflow and present a simulation across representative user profiles, illustrating how interpreted model outputs can inform personalized behavioral recommendations. However, generalizability is limited by a moderately sized dataset reliant on self-reported measures and cross-sectional design. Future work will integrate multimodal behavioral signals, larger cohorts, and clinically validated mental-health assessments. Overall, the study presents a more transparent, computationally grounded approach for interpretable depression-risk prediction from social media behavior, bridging the gap between predictive performance and practical explainability.

The rapid development of digital technology requires Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to adapt by utilizing digital marketing and improving financial management practices. However, many service-based MSMEs have not yet optimized digital promotion and integrated bookkeeping in their business operations. This community service activity aims to enhance the promotion of service MSMEs through the implementation of digital marketing and to strengthen cost control through simple bookkeeping at AND CUSTOM LED. The methods used include an initial survey, practical mentoring, and evaluation of the activities. The mentoring process involved training in promotional content creation, the use of social media as a business communication tool, and the application of daily transaction recording. The results indicate an improvement in the business owner’s understanding and behavior regarding promotional management and financial recording. The MSME owner became more active and consistent in implementing digital promotion strategies and more disciplined in recording income and expenses. In addition, the mentoring encouraged a more independent and well-planned work attitude. Overall, this activity demonstrates that integrating digital marketing with simple bookkeeping can improve the quality of service MSME management and support business sustainability in the digital era.

The proliferation of social media has democratized the way people access information, including health information. The difficulty experienced by young people in accessing orthodox medical services may be more pronounced for university students who are encumbered by the rigours of academic studies and constrained by time to seek appropriate medical intervention from hospitals. This study investigated the correlation between social media and health information seeking behaviour (HISB) among University of Ibadan undergraduates. Uses and gratification theory served as the theoretical framework while the mixed method research design, which is made up of quantitative (survey) and qualitative (focus group discussion-FGD) served as the research designs. Multi-stage, stratification, purposive, available and simple random sampling techniques were used in the selection of 391respondents and in organizing four (4) FGD sessions featuring six (6) discussants. Questionnaire and FGD guide were used to generate data. Descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation, Independent Sample T-Test and One-way ANOVA were used to analyse quantitative data while qualitative data were transcribed and direct quotations that represented the opinions of the participants were analysed. The major findings are that majority of the respondents (n=237; 60.6%) exhibited average health information seeking behaviour; however, no significant relationship exists between social media usage and health information seeking behaviour among the respondents. These findings have implications for health organizations and professionals who leverage various social media platforms to provide credible and authentic information in clear and simple understandable language to the youth cohort.

This paper addresses the relationship between hedonism and the use of social networks in the context of the digital era. In an increasingly technology-dependent society shaped by virtual communication, social networks have become powerful tools for fulfilling individuals’ emotional and psychological needs, including immediate pleasure, attention, and social validation. Drawing on theories such as Cultivation Theory (George Gerbner) and Framing Theory (Goffman), the study explores the hedonistic motivations that underlie users’ behavior on digital platforms. To analyze this phenomenon, an empirical study was conducted, the data of which show that the majority of young people experience the use of social networks as a source of immediate pleasure, especially in relation to receiving likes, sharing personal content, and engaging in social interactions. However, a considerable proportion of respondents also reported feelings of emptiness, decreased self-esteem, and emotional dependence on these platforms. The results suggest that social networks function as a powerful mechanism for fulfilling hedonistic needs, but they also raise concerns regarding long-term effects on psychological well-being. The paper concludes with suggestions for media awareness and a more conscious use of technology and social media.

The black box design of the algorithmic choices made by AI recommendation systems with its extensive use in social media advertisements has come under significant focus regarding questions of transparency, privacy and user trust. Platforms also face the trust risk of personalized strategies in their pursuit of ad accuracy. This article is an analytical article that takes a structured review of the relationship between the characteristics of an algorithm output and the psychological variables of its users, including advertising experience, perception of privacy, trust, and behavioral intentions, using a quantitative framework analysis. Depending on the literature, it is found that personalized advertising influences users in two dimensions. On the one hand, recommendations will enhance advertising experience of users, promoting their higher short-term click-through rate and purchase intentions. In its turn, it happens to be the fact that over-personalization and high frequency usage can result in privacy related issues, as well as undermine the trust and the dedication of the users in the long term. In addition, the privacy image and the exploratory sale of the ad are also important factors that act as a mediator between the mentioned mechanisms. As per that statement, the following article proposes a generalizable theoretical framework in SEM that would provide a measurable framework in analyzing the two psychological impacts of personalized advertising.

Globally, news gathering and transition even in the face of advanced social media usage is still primarily within the domain of conventional television. There is often the general assumption that established media houses such as British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Cable News Network (CNN), Deutsche Welle Television (DW TV) is often considered authentic because of the sustained pedigree in news gathering and transmission. In Ghana, one of the household names in news gathering and transmission are Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), and TV3. These media houses have often encountered challenges, shortfalls resulting in loss of life, delays in news resulting from technological issues. This article offers insights into news gatherings technologies and challenges in Ghana, drawing from key participants within the value chain of news gathering and transmission. Key findings suggest a widening gap of technologies which impede the timeliness of news gathering and production, funding to acquire updated software. While admitting that there has been significant improvement in the media space, including Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), and TV3, there is need to update the technology skill base of reporters and technologists in the value chain news production processes as well as procuring advance technologies for speedy coverage, transmission and storage.

This paper presents new evidence suggesting that the relationship between loneliness and social connectedness is regulated by individual social connectedness set points, i.e. levels of social connectedness that individuals consider satisfactory. Using data from the European Union Loneliness Survey (2022; N = 25,646), I find that loneliness exhibits a kinked relationship with connectedness: It decreases linearly when connectedness is below individual set points but remains consistently low regardless of additional social contact once this threshold is reached. This pattern, which holds across multiple loneliness measures, is consistent with predictions from homeostatic control models and the cognitive discrepancy model of loneliness. I further identify key determinants of individual set points for social connectedness, including social environment variables, childhood relationships, and passive social media use. The findings indicate that similar levels of social contact can produce different experiences of loneliness across individuals due to heterogeneity in social preferences. Effective loneliness interventions should consider both the availability of social connections and individual set points for social connectedness.

Associations between social media use, body mass index, and body image among pregnant women.

The study highlights the crucial role of professional social media and LinkedIn instruction for students seeking employment. An analysis of 20 business and technical communication textbooks identifies significant gaps between textbook guidance and real-world expectations. Some textbooks in both fields fall short in offering actionable strategies for creating and maintaining a professional social media presence. While many textbooks emphasize the importance of social media or LinkedIn, most fail to provide concrete examples or best practices, such as keyword optimization for AI, effective networking strategies, and best practices for posting content. Grounded in digital literacy theory and professional identity formation, the study provides teaching recommendations, including the identification and adoption of supplemental materials to teach professional social media usage.

This study aims to determine the effect of fintech usage, the level of technological skills, and the role of social media on the financial literacy of management students at Universitas Teuku Umar. The background of this research is based on the phenomenon of the increasing use of digital financial services among students, which has not been accompanied by an adequate improvement in financial understanding. This research is quantitative in nature with an associative approach, in which the data were obtained through the distribution of questionnaires to 86 management students at Universitas Teuku Umar. The data analysis techniques used include descriptive analysis, validity tests, reliability tests, classical assumption tests, multiple linear regression analysis, as well as t-tests and F-tests to examine the research hypotheses. The results show that the fintech usage variable does not have a significant effect on students’ financial literacy, with a t-value of 0.132, a beta coefficient (β) of 0.014, and a significance value of p = 0.895 > 0.10. This indicates that students tend to use fintech services only for transactional purposes, such as payments and fund transfers, rather than to improve their financial understanding and financial management skills. In contrast, the level of technological skills has a significant effect on financial literacy, with a t-value of 3.411 and a significance value of 0.001 < 0.10. Likewise, the role of social media has a significant effect on students’ financial literacy, with a t-value of 3.379 and a significance value of 0.001 < 0.10. Meanwhile, the results of the simultaneous test (F-test) show that the three independent variables jointly have a significant effect on financial literacy, with an F-value of 48.826 and a significance value of 0.000 < 0.10. From these results, it can be concluded that the level of technological skills and the role of social media have a real influence on improving students’ financial literacy, while fintech usage has not yet had a significant impact. Therefore, improving financial literacy needs to be accompanied by digital education and the wise use of social media as a means of financial learning.

This study aims to analyze the influence of Financial Influencers, Financial Literacy, and Self-Control on Investment Decisions among the people of West Aceh. The rapid growth of digital technology has encouraged individuals to access financial information through social media, where Financial Influencers play a major role in shaping investment behavior. This research uses a quantitative method with questionnaires distributed to 100 respondents who have engaged in investment activities. Data were analyzed using validity, reliability, classical assumption tests, multiple linear regression, t-test, F-test, and coefficient of determination (R²) with SPSS version 25. The results show that Financial Influencers have a significant effect on investment decisions. Financial Literacy also has a positive and significant influence, meaning that higher financial knowledge leads to better investment decisions. Self-Control significantly affects investment decisions, indicating that self- regulation is crucial in making rational financial choices. Simultaneously, all three variables have a positive and significant effect on investment decisions. This study concludes that improving financial literacy, self-control, and the wise use of social media can foster smart and sustainable investment behavior in West Aceh.

The increasingly pervasive development of digital technology has not been fully accompanied by the strengthening of ethical awareness in its practical use. This situation is reflected in various phenomena among students, including the tendency toward excessive use of social media, the declining quality of ethics in online communication, and the weakening of mutual respect in digital spaces. These conditions indicate that digital ethics cannot be understood merely as a technological problem but are closely related to the direction of values and the fundamental goals of education. Departing from this reality, this study aims to examine the concept of ta’dib in the thought of Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas as an alternative conceptual framework for responding to the digital ethics crisis from the perspective of Islamic education. This study employs a qualitative approach through library research by critically examining al-Attas’s major works as well as national and international scholarly journal articles from the past five years relevant to digital ethics and Islamic education. The findings reveal that the weakening of digital ethics is rooted in an educational paradigm that tends to emphasize cognitive aspects and technical skill mastery, while the formation of adab as the core of education is neglected. Within this framework, the concept of ta’dib offers a holistic philosophical foundation by positioning education as a process of internalizing adab that integrates intellectual, moral, and spiritual dimensions in an integral manner. Therefore, this study concludes that the application of the concept of ta’dib has the potential to serve as a strategic foundation for building sustainable, value-oriented digital ethics among students that are relevant to the challenges of Islamic education in the digital era.

Background Rural female caregivers of older adults face significant caregiving challenges that puts them at high risk for poor self-care and wellbeing. Limited studies have examined the self-care needs of caregivers from a gender equity and social perspective. Objective Our study aims to explore the self-care needs and preferences of rural female caregivers and underlying key processes contributing toward their health and well-being. Methods A qualitative descriptive design was used for the study. A purposive sample of ( n = 20) rural female caregivers was obtained. In-depth individual interviews were conducted for data collection. Each interview was about 45-60 min in duration. Thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the data. Findings Major themes identified included: no time for personal care, feelings of guilt and helplessness, giving up on career goals and aspirations, marital devotion, and lack of social services and support. Common self-care strategies reported were use of social media, online church meetings and meditation, participation in voluntary services, and owning a pet. Conclusion Rural female caregivers need well informed and evidence-based respite policies and programs to support their overall coping, resilience, and well-being. Caregiving policies need to consider gender inclusive, faith and value-based wellness programs in rural communities. Technology can also offer innovative solutions to engage caregivers and promote their self-care.

ABSTRACT This study explores the impact of social media advertising on the digital well-being of Generation Z through a qualitative lens, grounded in the Transformative Advertising Research (TAR) framework. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 30 Gen Z social media users, the research investigates how advertising practices shape their mental health, life satisfaction, and digital consumption habits. However, existing research predominantly employs quantitative methods and treats advertising as monolithic, overlooking how Generation Z actively interprets, negotiates, and copes with diverse advertising practices in their daily digital lives. Thematic analysis reveals a nuanced spectrum of experiences: while some participants report increased awareness and empowerment through positive advertising content, others describe heightened anxiety, distraction, and negative self-comparison triggered by intrusive or manipulative ads. Participants also articulate various coping strategies, from avoidance to proactive digital literacy efforts. The study highlights the challenges and opportunities for fostering digital well-being through responsible advertising by situating these findings within the TAR framework and related theories. The results offer actionable insights for advertisers, platforms, and policymakers aiming to promote healthier digital environments for young users.

The last decade has witnessed a rise in misinformation and disinformation. Countries and individuals have been impacted by both and Nigeria's elections have not been left out. Rhetoric has gone beyond being a tool for shaping public opinion, to one used to promote fear, divisiveness and violence, especially in countries with ethnic and religious diversity. During the 2019 Nigerian elections, rhetoric was used to spread misinformation and disinformation about opposing candidates and parties. The 2023 elections took it further, using specific narratives like “Lagos is Yoruba land” to amplify existing ethnic, religious, and political differences, during the elections in Lagos. Adopting Political Communication and Social Identity as theoretical framework and using a Thematic analysis, the study assessed the strategies used to package ethnic and religious rhetorics in the social media political posts on X (formerly) Twitter and Facebook concerning the 2023 Lagos Governorship elections and how this influenced other social media users. Findings indicate that there is a major gap in terms of the responsibilities of political actors to do no harm and how they used rhetorics in the 2023 election campaigns in Lagos State. The actors weaponised social and political identity majorly, using history, threats and shaming to achieve their aim. Additionally, the posts contained triggering words/phrases and this also reflected in the responses to some of the posts. The persistent use of ethnicity and negative identity based political rhetoric if left unchecked in future elections will resuscitate old wounds, deepen societal fractures, which can be traced to the early years of the country. This in turn threatens the development of strong democratic institutions as the electorate weigh self-preservation over exercising their rights to vote and participate in the process. The next election cannot be allowed to shift from democratic persuasion to cause even lower voter turnout through the use of fear.

Physical activity plays a crucial role in maintaining health and reducing stress, particularly among students in demanding disciplines such as nursing. This study examines how social media and self-efficacy influence exercise behavior and stress relief, drawing on the Social Cognitive Theory and Uses and Gratifications Theory. Data were collected from 295 Vietnamese undergraduate nursing students and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results reveal that both social media use and self-efficacy significantly and positively affect stress relief, with exercise behavior acting as a mediating variable. The proposed model explains 69.2% of the variance in exercise behavior and 57.8% in stress relief. These findings suggest that exposure to fitness-related content and higher confidence in one’s ability to exercise contribute to greater engagement in physical activity and improved stress management. The study highlights the importance of integrating digital media and self-efficacy enhancement strategies into university health promotion programs. Universities should consider using social media platforms to share motivational content, facilitate online exercise communities, and organize student-led fitness initiatives. Policy-makers may also support campaigns promoting physical activity as an effective stress management strategy for health-related professions.

Context: The rapid growth of social live streaming platforms has transformed how individuals interact and experience digital entertainment. Despite this expansion, prior studies have largely focused on commercial or gaming-related live streaming, leaving the social and hedonic aspects underexplored. Furthermore, psychological mechanisms such as the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) have received limited attention in explaining behavioral intention in live streaming environments. Objective: This study aims to develop and validate an integrated model combining the Hedonic-Motivation System Adoption Model (HMSAM) with FoMO to explain users’ behavioral intention in social live streaming contexts. Method: A quantitative approach was employed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with data from 57 Indonesian social media users. The research process consisted of three stages: conceptual integration, instrument operationalization, and empirical validation, supported by expert qualitative evaluation to enhance construct clarity and theoretical consistency. Results: The findings show that hedonic motivations such as joy, curiosity, and immersion strongly influence behavioral intention, while FoMO acts both as a direct determinant and as a mediator linking hedonic motivations to user engagement. Two indicators (CTR2 and CTR4) were removed for weak conceptual fit, and constructs with AVE values slightly below 0.50 (Control and Perceived Usefulness) were retained for theoretical reasons. The integrated HMSAM–FoMO model explained 64.4% of the variance in behavioral intention, demonstrating strong explanatory power. Conclusions: The study contributes theoretically by extending HMSAM with FoMO to capture both emotional enjoyment and psychological tension in digital engagement. It also provides practical guidance for designing psychologically balanced live streaming experiences that enhance enjoyment while minimizing FoMO-induced anxiety. These findings offer a foundation for future research and policy development toward healthier digital participation.

Background/objectives Social media is a pervasive force in youth culture, shaping body perception and dietary habits. However, the psychological and behavioral pathways linking social media use to eating behavior remain insufficiently understood. This study examined the mediating roles of body image dissatisfaction and physical activity in the association between social media use and dietary behavior among young adults. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 422 Chinese university students (Mean age = 22.82 ± 2.42) between November 2024 and February 2025. Participants completed validated measures of social media use, body image dissatisfaction (BSQ-16), physical activity (IPAQ-SF), and dietary behavior (DEBQ). Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), parallel mediation modeling (PROCESS macro), and ANOVA for subgroup comparisons. Results Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the measurement model (CFI = 0.926, RMSEA = 0.057). Social media use significantly predicted higher body image dissatisfaction (β = 0.578, p < 0.001) and lower physical activity (β = −348.717, p < 0.001), both of which were associated with disordered eating (β = 0.442 and β = −0.000, respectively). Parallel mediation analysis identified two significant indirect effects: through body image dissatisfaction (indirect effect = 0.256, p < 0.001) and physical activity (indirect effect = 0.084, p < 0.001). ANOVA showed that lower physical activity was associated with higher social media use and poorer dietary outcomes. Conclusion Social media is associated with dietary behavior through dual psychological and behavioral pathways. Interventions should target body image resilience and active lifestyles to mitigate the health risks posed by digital media environments.