Social Media News and Research

Latest Social Media News and Research

Readers scrutinize federal cuts and medical debt

The recent KFF Health News article "Beyond Ivy League, RFK Jr.'s NIH Slashed Science Funding Across States That Backed Trump" (April 17) struck a nerve.

13 May 2025

Parents focus on privacy and safety as top screen time concerns

As kids spend more time on screens, a new national survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of The Kids Mental Health Foundation, founded by Nationwide Children's Hospital, identifies parents' greatest fears for their children around screen time.

13 May 2025

Online abuse surges among marginalized young adults in low- and middle-income countries

A major new international study has found that young adults in low- and middle-income countries who are sex workers, gay men, transgender or living with HIV are facing a surge in online abuse - from harassment and blackmail to the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

12 May 2025

Junk food ads make kids eat more, even if the ad shows no food!

Children exposed to just 5 minutes of junk food ads consumed 130 extra calories in a day, regardless of ad type or media format. Even brand-only ads, without showing actual food, triggered significant increases in calorie intake.

11 May 2025

Virtual nurse shows promise in promoting vaccinations

Can a virtual nurse persuade people to get vaccinated? Scientists from SWPS University have proven that it is possible. Finding new forms of informing people about vaccinations is particularly important for public health while some question their validity.

10 May 2025

Study highlights the link between adverse childhood experiences and adolescent suicidality

A recent doctoral dissertation reveals that adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse and neglect, predisposes adolescents to suicidality.

8 May 2025

Trump policies at odds with ‘make America healthy again’ push

In his March address to Congress, President Donald Trump honored a Texas boy diagnosed with brain cancer. Amid bipartisan applause, he vowed to drive down childhood cancer rates through his "Make America Healthy Again" initiative.

7 May 2025

Social media hurts teens with anxiety and depression more than healthy peers

Adolescents with mental health conditions spend more time on social media and engage differently online than their mentally healthy peers, particularly in social comparison and emotional reactivity to feedback. These differences vary by condition type, with internalizing disorders showing stronger effects across key engagement measures.

6 May 2025

Adolescents with mental health conditions show different social media habits

Young people with a diagnosable mental health condition report differences in their experiences of social media compared to those without a condition, including greater dissatisfaction with online friend counts and more time spent on social media sites.

6 May 2025

Despite historic indictment, doctors will keep mailing abortion pills across state lines

When the news broke on Jan. 31 that a New York physician had been indicted for shipping abortion medications to a woman in Louisiana, it stoked fear across the network of doctors and medical clinics who engage in similar work.

6 May 2025

Study: Nicotine pouch use nearly doubles among U.S. high school students

The use of nicotine pouches - small, easily concealed sachets of nicotine and additives that are placed between the gum and lip - nearly doubled among U.S. high school students between 2023 and 2024, according to a new USC study.

30 Apr 2025

Why different loneliness tests still identify the same emotional struggles

Researchers examined how loneliness classifications, by frequency, distress, or chronicity, relate to cognitive and behavioral traits in 790 adults. Despite modest agreement between classification methods, the study found consistent psychological patterns among lonely individuals across all types of loneliness.

29 Apr 2025

What’s behind Gen Z’s skepticism about Ozempic and Wegovy

A U.S. study of over 500 youth aged 14–24 found high awareness but widespread hesitation about using semaglutide for weight loss. Concerns focused on safety, social stigma, and a preference for lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.

24 Apr 2025

Do edible insects deliver on protein and sustainability? New study gives answers

Researchers from the University of Pisa analyzed 523 insect-based food products sold online in Europe, evaluating their species, formulations, and nutritional profiles. They found that these products, though diverse and protein-rich, face cultural resistance and high prices, limiting their dietary integration.

23 Apr 2025

New insights show why dopamine detox trend is overly simplistic

Dopamine is the brain's motivational spark, driving us to chase what feels good, say scrolling another reel on social media, and steer clear of what doesn't, like touching a hot stove.

22 Apr 2025

Parents share concerns over discussing puberty with kids

Most parents agree that talking to their kids about puberty is important-but when and how to start the conversation is often less clear, a new national poll suggests.

21 Apr 2025

Study: Women show greater awareness of obesity drugs than men

New research to be presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025, Malaga, Spain, 11-14 May) shows that women are much more aware of knowledgeable about the obesity drugs GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists (that include semaglutide and tirzepatide).

17 Apr 2025