Unregulated online political ads pose a threat to democracy

Political ad transparency – who’s paying for ads and whether candidates stand behind them – is well-regulated for TV and radio. Online, not so much.

Steven Caplan, Adjunct Instructor of Communications and Marketing, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism • conversation
July 9, 2024 • ~8 min

TikTok might not be the best place for good health info

Can you find reliable health information in TikTok videos? A new study advises caution.

U. Chicago • futurity
July 2, 2024 • ~9 min

Supreme Court kicks cases about tech companies’ First Amendment rights back to lower courts − but appears poised to block states from hampering online content moderation

Florida and Texas sought to prevent social media companies from deciding which posts can be promoted, demoted or blocked. The Supreme Court said the tech companies can moderate as they please.

Lynn Greenky, Professor Emeritus of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Syracuse University • conversation
July 1, 2024 • ~7 min

AI companies train language models on YouTube’s archive − making family-and-friends videos a privacy risk

Many videos people upload to YouTube aren’t really meant for public consumption, but they’re available for AI companies to vacuum up. Many of these personal videos are posted by children.

Ethan Zuckerman, Associate Professor of Public Policy, Communication, and Information, UMass Amherst • conversation
June 27, 2024 • ~10 min

Surgeon general’s call for warning labels on social media underscores concerns for teen mental health

A growing body of research points to links between social media use and mental health harms, but establishing clear cause and effect is difficult.

Emily Hemendinger, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
June 21, 2024 • ~10 min

TikTok vasectomy videos spread bad info

An analysis of videos on TikTok about vasectomy found low medical accuracy, with an average score of 0.19 out of 5.

Stephanie Lopez-Duke • futurity
June 20, 2024 • ~4 min

Why the future of democracy could depend on your group chats

Americans associate with each other more online than off these days. How people interact in digital communities could have a big impact on democracy.

Nathan Schneider, Assistant Professor of Media Studies, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
June 3, 2024 • ~9 min

Millions of current smokers became addicted when they were teens – and nicotine marketing targets adolescents today just as it did decades ago

Online advertising featuring bright colors, cartoon figures and promotions by social media influencers entice adolescents to try tobacco.

Jon-Patrick Allem, Associate Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Rutgers University • conversation
May 31, 2024 • ~7 min

In international relations, it’s the message, not the medium

Research surveys show warnings issued by world leaders are taken equally seriously whether issued on social media or through formal statements.

Peter Dizikes | MIT News • mit
May 28, 2024 • ~6 min

AI may fill gap for young people seeking peer advice

Young people often use social media to seek support from their friends but don't always get helpful answers. AI technology could help.

Jared Wadley-U. Michigan • futurity
May 22, 2024 • ~4 min

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