Digital platforms like TikTok could help China extend its censorship regime across borders

Discussions about potential bans highlight the tension between Western countries and China over the app.

Ge Chen, Assistant Professor in Global Media & Information Law, Durham University • conversation
Dec. 11, 2023 ~8 min

How to protect yourself from cyber-scammers over the festive period

Cyber-scams tend to ramp up at this time of year, with criminals and scammers eager to exploit people’s generosity and excitement.

Rachael Medhurst, Course Leader and Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security NCSA, University of South Wales • conversation
Dec. 8, 2023 ~7 min


Disinformation is rampant on social media – a social psychologist explains the tactics used against you

Disinformation campaigns often use a set of rhetorical devices that you can learn to spot, like conspiracy narratives, good versus evil framing, and revealed secrets.

H. Colleen Sinclair, Associate Research Professor of Social Psychology, Louisiana State University • conversation
Dec. 7, 2023 ~11 min

How conspiracy theories can affect the communities they attack – new research

Study on antisemitic conspiracy theories shows they can make groups turn inwards for support and more fearful of others.

Jenny Paterson, Assistant Professor in Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle • conversation
Dec. 4, 2023 ~7 min

Online 'likes' for toxic social media posts prompt more − and more hateful − messages

Hate is for the haters. Much of the thrill of posting toxic messages can come from the attention and social approval a poster gets from like-minded people.

Joseph B. Walther, Visiting Scholar at Harvard University, Distinguished Professor of Communication, University of California, Santa Barbara • conversation
Dec. 4, 2023 ~7 min

Why a social media detox may not be as good for you as you think – new research

Our study found abstaining from social media led to a reduction in positive emotions.

Michael Wadsley, PhD student, Durham University • conversation
Nov. 21, 2023 ~7 min

AI makes Silicon Valley’s philosophy of ‘move fast and break things’ untenable

AI is one of many reasons the tech company mantra should be reconsidered, says an expert.

Constance De Saint Laurent, Assistant Professor of Sociotechnical Systems, Department of Psychology, National University of Ireland Maynooth • conversation
Nov. 21, 2023 ~6 min

People dig deeper to fact-check social media posts when paired with someone who doesn't share their perspective – new research

A new study unexpectedly found a way to help people assess social media posts with less bias and more care – pairing them up with partners who have a different perspective.

Eli Gottlieb, Senior Fellow in Education and Human Development, George Washington University • conversation
Nov. 9, 2023 ~5 min


It's not just about facts: Democrats and Republicans have sharply different attitudes about removing misinformation from social media

One person’s content moderation is another’s censorship when it comes to Democrats’ and Republicans’ views on handling misinformation.

Ruth Elisabeth Appel, Ph.D. Candidate in Communication, Stanford University • conversation
Nov. 3, 2023 ~8 min

In online news, do mouse clicks speak louder than words?

Partisan media might deepen political polarization, but we should measure people’s media habits more carefully before drawing conclusions, researchers say.

Peter Dizikes | MIT News • mit
Nov. 2, 2023 ~7 min

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