Social Media

Are You Addicted to Social Media?

The use of social media networking sites has dramatically over the past decade, with mobile smartphones making it even easier to stay connected online. As a consequence of its popularity, for some, there’s an increased perceived need for individuals to maintain their online life.

Is a Digital Detox the Answer to Technostress?

Social Media, Pseudoscience, and Misinformation: the impact on public understanding of health and medical science

The Impact of Cyberbullying on Mental Health

Screen Time and Mental Health

How is Social Media Affecting Mental Health?

Digital Nutrition: How Social Media Consumption Affects Our Mental Diet

Screen Time and Insomnia

How Infodemiology Shapes Public Health in the Digital Age

The Science of Kindness

What Role has Social Media Played in COVID-19?

Eating Disorders and Social Media

See more featured articles »

Impact of Masculinity on Men's Health

How Millennials and Gen Z Are Driving Evidence-Based Wellness Trends

Latest Social Media News and Research

Children frequently pressure parents to buy unhealthy foods during shopping

A study using a nationally representative survey of parents in England, to be presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026, Istanbul, Turkey, 12-15 May), reveals that over half (58%) of parents are frequently pestered by their children or teens to purchase products high in fats, salts and/or sugar (HFSS) when food shopping in stores or online, and almost three-quarters (72%) reported often buying the requested item.

10 May 2026

Online friendships with strangers linked to greater adult loneliness

A first-of-its-kind study of U.S. adults suggests that all of those strangers you're friends with on social media are not helping you to feel less lonely.

8 May 2026

Metformin targets the gut instead of the liver to lower glucose

For decades, physicians and scientists thought metformin, the leading Type 2 diabetes medication taken by millions worldwide, mainly targets the liver to suppress glucose production.

8 May 2026

The BHARAT study: India’s first large-scale search for aging biomarkers

A new research paper was published in Volume 18 of Aging-US on April 24, 2026, titled "The BHARAT study: a multi-modal, multi-omics investigation of aging signatures in the Indian population."

8 May 2026

Human telomerase shows limited function across different animal species

A new research paper was published in Volume 18 of Aging-US on April 13, 2026, titled "Cross species activity of TERT human telomerase component."

5 May 2026

Disruptions threaten progress in inclusive clinical trials and health equity

JMIR Publications today featured a critical new story in its News and Perspectives section examining the recent waves of disruption to inclusive clinical trials and the emerging strategies to keep health equity on track.

4 May 2026

Dopamine may stretch time perception and shape lasting memories

Ever heard of getting a "dopamine hit" from something you enjoy? These exciting moments also appear to influence memory, although perhaps not in the way you'd expect.

4 May 2026

New genomic study tracks rare blood disease in children

Aplastic anemia is a rare, life-threatening blood disorder where patients are unable to make enough blood cells due to the immune system's attack on blood stem cells. The condition can progress to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and leukemia. A study led by scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, with multiple collaborating institutions, used state-of-the-art genomic techniques to profile 619 children and adults with aplastic anemia.

4 May 2026

Short-term exposure to idealized fitness posts undermines body image across genders

Social media is filled with posts about fitness and healthy eating aiming to inspire and encourage better lifestyles. However, out today, a new large review study led by an Olympic athlete reveals that this seemingly motivational content can sometimes have unexpected negative impacts on the health and wellbeing of young adults.

4 May 2026

Study debunks steroid myths, framing creatine as an essential energy-providing molecule

Creatine, a compound often associated with gym-goers and athletes, has long been touted as a performance-enhancing supplement. But beyond the hype, what does science actually reveal about its effects on the body and mind?

4 May 2026

AAD survey reveals Americans ignore sun risks despite skin cancer concerns

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) today released results from its annual Practice Safe Sun Survey, revealing many Americans still engage in risky sun behaviors driven by misinformation, social media, and persistent tanning myths despite their concerns about the long term aging effects of sun exposure. In recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month (May) and Melanoma Monday® on May 4, the AAD is encouraging the public to practice safe sun to reduce their risk of skin cancer.

4 May 2026

Multiple myeloma mortality rates decline with advances in targeted therapies

A new research paper was published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on April 28, 2026, titled "Targeted therapeutics and U.S. population-level mortality trends in multiple myeloma: A SEER-based analysis from 1975 to 2023."

29 Apr 2026

Prehabilitation cuts surgery complications and hospital stays

Providing patients with structured exercise and nutrition support before surgery can reduce complications and shorten hospital stays, according to a new review published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS).

29 Apr 2026

How media choices shape MMR vaccine hesitancy in the US

The study examines how media sources impact MMR vaccine attitudes, revealing a connection between non-mainstream outlets and increased vaccine hesitancy.

29 Apr 2026

Lifestyle and non-lifestyle factors converge to influence gut microbiome in cancer patients

A new review was published in Volume 13 of Oncoscience on March 11, 2026, titled "Associations among physical activity, diet, non-lifestyle characteristics and the gut microbiome of cancer patients: A scoping review and network analysis."

28 Apr 2026

TikTok chatter could help predict where the opioid crisis is heading next

A large-scale analysis of 569,581 TikTok comments found that opioid-related discussions may help track and forecast synthetic opioid overdose mortality in the US. Recovery, harm reduction, drug use, drug sourcing, and loss-related conversations provided near-real-time signals that improved 6-month forecasting accuracy.

28 Apr 2026

Digital media preferences influence public beliefs about vaccines

People who follow "new right" media outlets are more than twice as likely to be vaccine-hesitant compared to those who never engage with those outlets, a new Johns Hopkins University study finds.

28 Apr 2026

Global survey shows digital health literacy higher in developing nations

A cross-national survey of 31,000 adults in 30 countries finds that digital health literacy is highest in low- and middle-income countries and lowest in high-income countries, challenging assumptions that national wealth translates into stronger digital skills.

28 Apr 2026

Scientists will probe whether processing itself makes ultra-processed foods harmful

A randomized controlled trial protocol will test whether the cardiometabolic risks linked to ultra-processed foods stem from industrial processing, poor nutrient composition, or both. Using four controlled diets, researchers will separate the effects of UPF content from saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium on LDL cholesterol, insulin resistance, and blood pressure.

26 Apr 2026

New insight into how molecular measures of aging relate to neuroimaging markers of brain health

A new research paper was published in Volume 18 of Aging-US on April 7, 2026, titled "Association of epigenetic age acceleration with MRI biomarkers of aging and Alzheimer's disease neurodegeneration."

25 Apr 2026