social media research questions for students

43+ Latest Social Media Research Topics for College Students

Post author By Ankit
February 7, 2024

Did you know that over 4.5 billion people actively use social media worldwide? That’s like half of the entire world’s people! With billions logging on daily, social media has changed how we communicate. As college students living in this digital time, we must know how platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram shape society.

Studying social media isn’t just about oversharing selfies – it helps us learn about human behavior, marketing techniques, cyberbullying, privacy issues, and more.

This blog shares the most exciting social media research topics for college students.

Table of Contents

Latest Social Media Research Topics For College Students

Check out the latest social media research topics for college students in tabular form.

Social Impact

1. Mental Health Awareness: Explore how social media can help spread understanding about mental health among teens. Look into campaigns and posts that help reduce stigma and offer support.

2. Activism Movements: See how social media helps people organize for causes they believe in. Look at examples of successful campaigns and the challenges activists face online.

3. Political Opinions: Study how social media affects young people’s political opinions. Look at how people only hear opinions they agree with and how false information spreads.

4. Community Building: Learn how social media helps different groups connect. Look at how these online groups offer support and share ideas.

5. Self-Esteem & Body Image: How social media affects teenagers’ feelings about themselves and their bodies. Explore how seeing idealized images can make people feel bad about themselves.

Also Read: 211+ Sociology Research Topics for College Students [2024]

Technical & Algorithmic Aspects

6. Content Algorithms: Understand how social media decides what to show you. Learn about the things that affect how posts appear in your feed.

7. Data Privacy: Explore how social media keeps your information safe. See how your data is collected, stored, and used for ads.

8. Artificial Intelligence: Learn how computers moderate what’s posted online. Look into how they can find and remove harmful content.

9. Personalized Advertising: See how ads on social media are tailored to you. Learn about how ads are based on what you’re interested in.

10. Misinformation Detection: Understand how social media tries to stop fake news. Learn how sites check if something is true before letting it spread.

Specific Platforms & Communities

11. TikTok Trends: Explore what’s popular on TikTok and how it spreads. Learn about the dances, challenges, jokes that get shared and discover strategies to boost your TikTok views .

12. Instagram Creativity: See how people express themselves on Instagram. Learn about the filters, tags, and stories they use.

13. Twitter Discourse: Learn about the conversations happening on Twitter. See how topics become trending and how people share their thoughts.

14. Reddit Subcultures: Explore the different groups on Reddit. Learn how people share interests and vote on what they like.

15. Facebook Groups: See how people connect on Facebook. Learn how groups help people talk about shared interests and issues.

Privacy & Security

16. Data Protection Laws: Understand laws that protect your personal information online.

17. Online Safety Tips: Learn how to stay safe from scams and cyberbullying on social media.

18. Two-Factor Authentication: Explore adding extra security to your social media accounts.

19. Privacy Settings: Understand how to control who sees your posts and information on social media.

20. Identity Theft Awareness: Learn the risks of sharing too much personal information online.

Education & Learning

21. Online Courses: Explore how social media platforms offer educational content and courses.

22. Study Groups: See how students use social media to collaborate and study together.

23. Learning Communities: Join online communities focused on specific subjects or skills.

24. Educational Resources: Find and share educational resources and materials on social media.

25. Teacher Collaboration: Explore how teachers use social media to connect and share teaching strategies.

Entertainment & Media

26. Fan Communities: Explore online communities dedicated to fandoms and fan culture.

27. Content Creation: Learn how people create and share content on platforms like YouTube and Twitch.

28. Livestreaming: Explore the world of live video streaming on platforms like Instagram Live and Facebook Live.

29. Viral Trends: Explore popular trends and challenges that go viral on social media.

30. Digital Art & Creativity: Discover how artists use social media to showcase their work and connect with fans.

Health & Wellness

31. Fitness Communities: Explore online communities focused on fitness and wellness.

32. Healthy Living Tips: Discover tips and advice for maintaining a healthy lifestyle shared on social media.

33. Mental Health Support: Find resources and communities that support mental health challenges.

34. Nutrition & Diet: Learn about nutrition and diet tips shared by health experts and influencers on social media.

35. Self-Care Practices: Explore self-care routines and practices individuals share on social media platforms.

Travel & Exploration

36. Travel Inspiration: Explore travel photos and stories travelers share on social media.

37. Travel Planning Tips: Discover tips and advice for planning trips shared by travel influencers.

38. Destination Guides: Find and share destination guides and recommendations on social media.

39. Solo Travel Communities: Connect with other solo travelers and share experiences and tips.

40. Adventure Activities: Discover adventure activities and experiences thrill-seekers share on social media.

Fashion & Style

41. Fashion Trends: Explore the latest fashion trends and styles showcased on social media platforms.

42. Style Tips: Discover styling tips and advice fashion influencers and bloggers share.

43. DIY Fashion: Learn how to create your fashion pieces through DIY tutorials shared on social media.

44. Fashion Communities: Connect with other fashion enthusiasts and share outfit ideas and inspirations.

45. Sustainable Fashion: Explore sustainable fashion practices and brands promoted on social media.

Career & Professional Development

46. Job Opportunities: Explore job postings and career opportunities shared on social media platforms like LinkedIn.

47. Networking Tips: Discover tips for networking and building professional connections on social media.

48. Resume Building: Learn how to create an effective resume and showcase your skills on social media profiles.

49. Interview Preparation: Find resources and advice for preparing for job interviews shared by career experts.

50. Freelancing Communities: Connect with other freelancers and share tips and advice for succeeding in the gig economy.

Hence, these are the trending Social Media Research Topics for College Students from which you can pick one.

Also Read: Top 11+ Career Benefits of Studying Abroad

How Do You Choose The Perfect Social Media Research Topics?

Social media is a significant aspect of our daily existence. There are so many exciting research topics for your college paper or project. Picking the right one can be tricky, but here is how to narrow it down.

1. Think About Your Interests

Start by brainstorming what social media platforms and topics interest you. Are you into Instagram trends? Facebook analytics? Snapchat filters? Knowing your interests will help you pick a topic you want to research and learn about.

2. Consider Current Events

Look at what’s happening right now in the social media world. Are people debating about privacy settings? Is a new platform getting popular? Current events and controversies make cool research topics.

3. Look for Gaps in Research

Search online to see what other studies have already been done. Then, you can find gaps where more research is needed. Filling those gaps by studying something new can lead to incredible discoveries.

4. Talk to Your Teacher

Your teacher will know good topics related to what you’re studying in class. See if they have suggestions based on what would work for the assignment. Their guidance can help narrow your choices.

5. Start Broad, Then Narrow Down

Begin with a broad subject like “Social Media and Culture,” then gradually narrow it down as you go. Add details about the specific platform, users, or effects you want to focus on for a defined topic.

6. Consider Your Research Method

Will you do surveys, interviews, observations, or experiments? Some topics work better with certain research methods. Think about how you’ll conduct the study when weighing your options.

7. Pick a Topic That’s Manageable

Make sure you pick a focused enough topic to research and reasonably write about within the time frame. A subject that’s too broad can be hard to tackle.

8. Write Down a List of Ideas

Keep a running list of all your potential topic ideas. Cross off the ones that don’t work. Circle your top choices. Taking notes helps to arrange your ideas.

9. Discuss Ideas with Classmates

Your classmates might have great suggestions you haven’t thought of. Or they can help you decide between topic options. Talking it through can give you a fresh perspective.

10. Don’t Forget About Your Passion!

Most importantly, choose a topic that you genuinely care about and excites you. Your enthusiasm will motivate you through the research process.

Hopefully, these tips will make it easier to pick the perfect social media research topic for your project.

What Makes A Perfect Social Media Research Topic?

Take into account the following factors to make sure your topic is powerful and exciting:

First, your topic should be super easy to understand so people understand what you’re discussing. Choose something that’s not confusing or vague.

Trend Relevancy

Second, it should relate to what’s happening now with social media and not be about old platforms or trends no one cares about anymore. Look at what sites and apps are popular today to pick a topic that matters.

New Insights

Finally, your research should uncover stuff people don’t already know. If there’s already a ton of studies on the same thing, it won’t be that interesting. Look for gaps in our knowledge so your work teaches us something new.

Researching social media is so essential for students today. We practically live our lives on sites like Instagram and TikTok. We could learn much about how social media impacts society, relationships, and mental health.

The possibilities are endless for research topics! Don’t be afraid to dive in and choose something you feel passionate about. Your research can create real change and impact. You have control over what happens next, so make it meaningful.

How does social media influence politics and democracy?

Social media enables the spread of misinformation, impacts voting, and polarizes political discourse.

How does social media affect body image and self-perception?

Social media imagery fosters unrealistic beauty standards, negative social comparisons, and poor body image.

What are the privacy risks of social media data mining?

User data collection raises issues around consent, transparency, profiling, and exploitation.

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234 Social Media Research Topics & Ideas

Icon Calendar 18 May 2024
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Social media research encompasses a broad range of different topics that delve into the ever-evolving digital landscape. People investigate the impact of social platforms on society, exploring subjects, such as online identity formation, self-presentation, the psychology of virtual interactions, and others. Additionally, studies examine the influence of social media on politics, activism, and public opinion, uncovering patterns of information dissemination and polarization. Privacy concerns, cyberbullying, and online safety are also explored in-depth, seeking strategies to mitigate the associated risks. In this article, people can find many social media research topics, ideas, and examples.

Hot Social Media Research Topics

Impacts of Social Media and Internet Algorithms on User Experience
The Rise of TikTok: A Socio-Cultural Analysis
Dealing With Cyberbullying: Strategies and Solutions
Understanding the Phenomenon of Social Media ‘Cancel Culture’
NFTs and Social Media: The Future of Digital Art?
Ethical Concerns in the Era of Influencer Marketing
Social Media’s Role in Accelerating E-Commerce Growth
Impacts of Internet and Social Media on Journalism and News Reporting
Understanding the Psychology of Viral Challenges on Social Platforms
Cryptocurrency and Social Media: The Intersection
Mitigating Misinformation and ‘Fake News’ on Social Media
Augmented Reality (AR) in Social Media: A Game Changer?
Evaluating the Impact of Social Media on Political Campaigns
Social Media’s Influence on Fashion and Beauty Trends
Privacy, Safety, and Security Concerns in the Age of Social Networking
Roles of Free Access and Social Media in Promoting Sustainable Practices
Implications of Social Media Addiction on Mental Health
Examining Social Media’s Role in Crisis Communication
The Power of User-Generated Content in Branding
Influence of Social Media on Food Culture and Dining Trends

Easy Social Media Research Topics

Impacts of Online Videos and Social Media on Mental Health
Influencer Marketing: Efficacy and Ethical Concerns
Evolution of Privacy Policies Across Social Platforms
Understanding Virality: What Makes Content Shareable?
Cyberbullying: Prevalence and Prevention Strategies
Social Media and Political Polarization: An In-Depth Study
Role of Social Media in Modern Business Strategies
Effect of Social Media on Interpersonal Relationships
Social Platforms as Tools for Social Change
Navigating Online Hate Speech: A Legal Perspective
Emerging Trends in Social Media Advertising
Online Identity Construction and Self-Presentation
The Psychology of Social Media Addiction
Social Media’s Role in Crisis Management and Communication
Sentiment Analysis in Social Media and Its Implications
Social Media Algorithms: Bias and Implications
The Phenomenon of Cancel Culture on Social Platforms
Cybersecurity Threats in the Era of Social Media
Analyzing Adverse Impacts of Social Media on Consumer Behavior

Interesting Social Media Research Topics

Evaluating the Effects of Social Media on Language and Communication
Roles of Social Media in Fostering Political Engagement
Misinformation and Propaganda Spread Through Social Platforms
Analyzing the Shift From Traditional Media to Social Media
Dark Patterns in Social Media: Hidden Manipulative Tactics
Social Media and Digital Activism: Revolutionizing Advocacy
Augmented Reality (AR) and Its Impact on Social Networking
Exploring Cybersecurity Issues in Social Media Platforms
Roles and Effects of Social Media and News in Mental Health Promotion
Strategies for Effective Social Media Crisis Management
The Power of Live Streaming for Brands and Influencers
Using Social Media to Enhance Classroom Learning
Analyzing the Influence of Memes on Internet Culture
Impacts of Social Media Algorithms on User Behavior
Assessing the Correlation Between Social Media and Loneliness
Geotagging and Its Implications for Personal Privacy
Social Media and E-commerce: A Cross-Industry Study
The Ethics of Digital Advertising on Social Platforms
Understanding the Psychology of Social Media Trolls
The Cultural Shift Caused by Social Media Localization

Social Media Research Paper Topics for High School

The Phenomenon of Cyberbullying: Prevention and Strategies
How Does Social Media Influence Teen Body Image?
Evaluating the Educational Potential of Social Media Platforms
Impacts of Social Media on Adolescents’ Self-Esteem
Roles of Free Connection and Social Media in Modern Political Activism
Exploring the Concept of ‘Digital Citizenship’ Among Teenagers
The Ethics of Social Media Privacy: User Rights and Responsibilities
Social Media Addiction: Understanding Its Causes and Effects
Influence of Social Media on Modern Communication Styles
Analyzing Positive Roles of Social Media in Promoting Reading Culture
Social Media and Mental Health: Correlation or Causation?
The Role of Social Media in Global Environmental Awareness
Examining Social Media’s Impact on Real-Life Social Skills
Social Media Platforms: Tools for Personal Branding or Narcissism?
Influence of Social Media Trends on Youth Fashion Choices
Impacts of Social Media on Teenagers’ Sleep Patterns
Online Safety: The Role of Parents and Schools in Social Media Usage
How Does Social Media Influence Teenagers’ Views on Relationships?
Social Media and Empathy: Does Online Interaction Decrease Compassion?

Social Media Research Paper Topics for College Students

Evaluating the Impact of Social Media on Body Image and Self-Esteem
The Influence of Social Media on Voting Patterns Among Young Adults
Social Media as a Valid Tool for Social Change: A Case Study Approach
Unveiling the Psychology of Social Media Addiction
Social Media’s Role in Modern Journalism: Opportunities and Challenges
Privacy Implications of Data Collection on Social Media Platforms
Cyberbullying in the Age of Social Media: Scope and Solutions
The Ethical Aspects of Social Media Influencer Marketing
Roles and Effects of Social Media in Crisis Communication and Management
Social Media and Its Effects on Interpersonal Communication Skills
Analyzing Social Media Strategies of Successful Businesses
Impacts of Internet Use and Social Media on Mental Health Among College Students
The Roles That Social Media Has in Modern Political Campaigns
Understanding the Social Media Algorithm: Bias and Implications
Social Media and Consumer Behavior: The Power of Influencer Marketing
Fake News, Authors, and Disinformation Spread Through Social Media Platforms
Exploring Direct Links Between Social Media Use and Academic Performance
Social Media’s Role in Promoting Sustainable Lifestyle Choices
Regulation of Hate Speech and Offensive Content on Social Media
The Power and Peril of Virality in the Age of Social Media

Social Media Research Paper Topics for University

The Effect That Social Media Has on Global Politics
The Ethics of Data Mining in Social Media
Roles of Social Media in Business Marketing Strategies
Social Media, Internet Use, and Their Impacts on Mental Health: A Systematic Review
Algorithmic Bias in Social Media Platforms: Causes and Consequences
The Influence of Colors and Social Media on Consumer Behavior
Exploring Possible Relationships Between Social Media Use and Academic Performance
Privacy, Morality, and Security Concerns in the Age of Social Media
Social Media as a Platform for Digital Activism
Impacts of Social Media on Interpersonal Communication and Relationships
Cyberbullying on Social Media: Scope, Impact, and Preventive Measures
The Role of Social Media in Spreading Health-Related Misinformation
Analyzing the Effect of Social Media on Journalism Practices
Understanding the Influence of Social Media on Body Image Perceptions
Social Media’s Role in Crisis Management: Case Studies
The Power and Effectiveness of Influencer Marketing on Social Media
Fake News and Disinformation in the Social Media Age
Regulatory Approaches to Hate Speech on Social Media Platforms
The Economic Implications of Social Media: From Startups to Giants

Social Media Research Paper Topics for Masters

Advanced Algorithms and Their Role in Shaping Social Media Interactions
Evaluating the Impact of Social Media on Democratic Processes Globally
The Intersection of Privacy, Data Mining, and Ethics in Social Media
Quantitative Analysis of Social Media’s Impact on Consumer Buying Behavior
Cybersecurity Threats in Social Media: Mitigation and Prevention Strategies
Analyzing the Psychological Implications of Social Media Addiction
Using Social Media Data to Predict Market Trends: An Econometric Approach
Role of Social Media in Crisis Management: A Comparative Study
The Sociolinguistic Impact of Social Media on Communication
Machine Learning and AI in Social Media: An Examination of Emerging Trends
Social Media as a Valid Tool for Public Health: Opportunities and Challenges
Social Media’s Influence on Modern Journalism: A Critical Analysis
Mapping Social Networks: A Graph Theory Approach
Evaluating the Efficacy of Social Media Campaigns in Social Change Movements
Analyzing the Role of Social Media in Corporate Reputation Management
Data Privacy Laws and Social Media: A Comparative Study
The Use of Small and Big Data Analytics in Social Media Marketing
Social Media and Its Role in Strengthening Democracy: A Deep Dive
The Impact of Social Media on Cultural Assimilation and Identity
Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Social Media Content Moderation

Social Media Research Paper Topics for Ph.D.

Analyzing the Impact of Social Media Algorithms on User Behavior and Perceptions
Deciphering the Influence of Social Media on Political Campaign Strategies
Examining the Role of Social Media in Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives
Social Media and Mental Health: A Comprehensive Analysis of Recent Studies
Effects of Social Media and Internet Use on Consumer Buying Behavior: An Econometric Approach
Social Media and Digital Diplomacy: A Critical Analysis
Ethical Implications of Data Mining Techniques in Social Media Platforms
Unpacking the Psychological Mechanisms of Social Media Addiction
Role of Social Media in Contemporary Journalism: Opportunities and Challenges
Social Media and Privacy: A Comparative Study of Data Protection Laws
Machine Learning and AI in Social Media: Identifying Future Trends
Social Media’s Possible Influence on People, Body Image, and Self-Esteem: A Meta-Analysis
Analyzing the Role of Social Media in Crisis Management and Communication
Impacts of Social Media on Different Language and Communication Styles
Cybersecurity in Social Media: An Analysis of Current Threats and Mitigation Strategies
Social Media as a Good Tool for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Effects of Social Media on Children and Their Parents: Social Skills and Interpersonal Relationships
Roles of Social Media in Promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Rights
Social Media and its Influence on Cultural Assimilation and Identity Formation

Social Media Research Topics for Argumentative Papers

Impacts of Social Media on Social and Political Discourses: Enhancing or Hindering Democratic Engagement?
Social Media and Mental Health: Exploring the Association Between Excessive Usage and Psychological Well-Being
Fostering Online Activism and Social Movements: The Role of Social Media
Balancing Personal Information Sharing and Data Protection: Social Media and Privacy
Exploring the Effects of Social Media on Body Image and Self-Esteem
Social Media and Political Polarization: Reinforcing Echo Chambers or Encouraging Diverse Perspectives?
Youth Culture and Identity Formation: The Influence of Social Media
Fake News and Misinformation: Combating Inaccurate Information in the Era of Social Media
Social Media and Cyberbullying: Examining the Impact on Mental Health and Well-Being
The Ethics of Social Media Research: Privacy, Informed Consent, and Ethical Considerations
Relationships in the Digital Age: Exploring the Influence of Social Media Use
The Influence of Internet, Technology, and Social Media on Consumer Behavior and Buying Decisions
Analyzing the Role of Online Platforms in Elections: Social Media and Political Campaigns
Social Media in Education: Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of Integration in the Classroom
Impacts of Social Media and Interface on News Consumption and Journalism Practices
Body Politics in the Digital Space: Examining Representations of Gender, Race, and Body Image on Social Media
Addressing Ethical and Security Concerns in the Digital Age: Social Media and Cybersecurity
Shaping Consumer Behavior and Brand Perception: The Role of Social Media Influencers
Civic Engagement in the Digital Era: Assessing the Role of Social Media Platforms
The Influence of Social Media Algorithms on Information Consumption and Personalization

Social Media Research Topics for Persuasive Papers

The Power of Social Media in Driving Social and Political Change
Promoting Digital Literacy: Empowering Users to Navigate the Complexities of Social Media
Social Media as a Catalyst for Social Justice Movements: Amplifying Marginalized Voices
Countering Fake News and Misinformation on Social Media: Strategies for Critical Thinking
Harnessing the Influence of Social Media for Environmental Activism and Sustainability
The Dark Side of Social Media: Addressing Online Harassment and Cyberbullying
Influencer Marketing: Ethical Considerations and Consumer Protection in the Digital Age
Leveraging Social Media for Public Health Campaigns: Increasing Awareness and Behavioral Change
Social Media and Mental Health: Promoting Well-Being in a Hyperconnected World
Navigating the Privacy Paradox: Balancing Convenience and Personal Data Protection on Social Media
Roles of Social Media and Internet in Fostering Civic Engagement and Democratic Participation
Promoting Positive Body Image on Social Media: Redefining Beauty Standards and Empowering Individuals
Enhancing Online Safety: Developing Policies and Regulations for Social Media Platforms
Social Media and the Spread of Disinformation: Combating the Infodemic
Roles of Social Media and Technology in Building and Sustaining Relationships: Connecting in a Digital Era
Influencer Culture and Materialism: Examining the Impact on Consumer Behavior
Social Media and Education: Maximizing Learning Opportunities and Bridging the Digital Divide
The Power of Viral Hashtags: Exploring Social Movements and Online Activism
Social Media and Political Polarization: Bridging Divides and Encouraging Constructive Dialogue

Social Media Topics for Pros and Cons Research Papers

Examining the Social Effects of Digital Connectivity: Pros and Cons of Using Social Media
Balancing Privacy Concerns in the Digital Age: Evaluating the Cons and Risks of Social Media Use
Information Sharing in the Digital Era: Uncovering the Advantages of Social Media Platforms
Building Online Communities: Analyzing the Strengths and Weaknesses of Social Media Interaction
Navigating Political Discourse in the Digital Age: The Disadvantages of Social Media Engagement
Mental Health in the Digital Sphere: Understanding the Benefits and Drawbacks of Social Media
Combating Cyberbullying: Addressing the Negative Side of Online Social Interactions
Personal Branding in the Digital Landscape: Empowerment vs. Self-Objectification on Social Media
Establishing Meaningful Connections: Exploring the Pros and Cons of Social Media Relationships
Leveraging the Educational Potential of Digital Platforms: Examining the Benefits of Social Media in Learning
Body Image and Self-Esteem in the Age of Social Media: Weighing the Positives and Negatives
From Digital Activism to Political Change: Assessing the Opportunities and Limitations of Social Media
Unraveling the Influence: Social Media and Consumer Behavior in the Digital Marketplace
Misinformation in the Digital Landscape: The Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Spread of Disinformation
Crisis Communication in the Digital Age: Navigating the Benefits and Challenges of Social Media
Tackling Fake News: Navigating Misinformation in the Era of Social Media
Maximizing Business Opportunities: Evaluating the Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media Marketing
The Psychology of Social Media: Analyzing the Upsides and Downsides of Digital Engagement
Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Socialization: Benefits, Drawbacks, and Implications
Online Activism: The Power and Limitations of Social Media Movements

Social Media Topics for Cause and Effect Research Papers

Enhancing Political Activism: Exploring the Relationship Between Social Media and Civic Engagement
The Psychological Effects of Digital Connectivity: Investigating the Relationship Between Mental Health of People and Social Media Use
Political Polarization in the Online Sphere: Understanding the Impact of Digital Networks
Disrupted Sleep Patterns in the Digital Era: Exploring the Role of Online Platforms
Digital Distractions and Academic Performance: Analyzing the Effects of Online Engagement
Navigating Online Relationships: Understanding the Impacts of Digital Interactions
The Digital Marketplace: Exploring Consumer Behavior in the Age of Online Platforms
The Loneliness Epidemic: Investigating the Relationship Between Social Media Use and Social Isolation
Redefining Political Participation: The Influence of Digital Networks on Democracy
Unmasking Digital Identities: The Psychological Effects of Social Media Use
News Consumption in the Digital Era: Exploring the Impacts of Online Platforms
Cyberbullying in the Virtual World: Analyzing the Effects of Online Interactions
The Digital Campaign Trail: Investigating the Influence of Online Platforms on Voter Behavior
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) in the Digital Age: Exploring the Psychological Consequences
Body Dissatisfaction in the Digital Sphere: Understanding the Impacts of Online Presence
Information Overload: Coping With the Digital Deluge in the Information Age
Privacy Concerns in the Online Landscape: Analyzing the Implications of Digital Footprints
Unveiling the Dark Side: Exploring the Relationship Between Online Activities and Substance Abuse
Bridging the Political Divide: The Impact of Digital Networks on Sociopolitical Polarization

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74 Best Social Media Research Paper Topics

Whether in college or high school, you will come across research writing as a student. In most cases, the topic of research is assigned by your teacher/professor. Other times, students have to come up with their topic. Research writing in school is inescapable. It’s a task you are bound to undertake to fulfill your academic requirements. If you are in college, there are several topics for research depending on your discipline. For high school students, the topic is usually given. In this article, we focus on social media and topics about social media.

A social media paper is a research paper about social media that studies social media generally or an aspect of it. To write research papers on social media, you’ll need to conduct thorough research for materials and scholarly materials that’ll assist you. For social media, most of the scholarly works will be media-focused.

Sometimes, Professors or teachers ask students to write an essay or research a topic without narrowing it down. In that case, students will have to develop specific research topics. If you’re writing a paper on social media, we’ve provided you with helpful topics to consider for research.

How to Start a Social Media Research Paper

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Before giving a research writing, Professors and teachers believe students already know how to write one. Not every student knows how to write a research paper in most cases.

Research writing follows a systematic pattern, which applies to research on social media. Below is the pattern of a research paper to use;

Paper title
Introduction
Statement of problem
Research methodology
Research objective
Critical analysis
Results and discussion

Every research follows this basic pattern, and it also applies to your research paper on social media.

Social media has become a powerful tool for engagement of various kinds. Before now, social media was merely apps used for interpersonal affairs. Today, with the modification of digital technology, social media encompasses a lot more. Below are some social media topics to write about.

The impact of social media in promoting interpersonal relationships
A study on how social media is a vital tool for social change
Social media censorship: A new form of restriction on freedom of speech
The constantly growing oversharing nature of social media
Social media is a vital tool for political campaign
The proliferation of social media platforms into a buying space
The juxtaposition of personal engagement and business on social media platforms

There is a wide range of topics to coin from social media for college students because social media is a platform with diverse issues that can form into topics. Here are some research topics about social media to consider.

Breach of Privacy: A study on the ability of the government to monitor personal affairs on social media
A study of the toxicity brewing within social media
The increased cyberbullying perpetrated on social media platforms
The evolution of Twitter into a space for diverse conversations
A study of the emergence and growth of social media over the years
Effects of social media: How social media is breeding laziness amongst children
Social media as a distraction tool for students

If you are searching for interesting topics, there are many interesting research topics on social media. Examples of research paper topics that sound fun to choose from include;

A study on how the emergence of social media and social media advertising has infiltrated its primary purpose
An evaluation of how social media has created employment opportunities for people
Social media influence and its negative impact on society
Advertising on social media: Will influencer businesses take over advertising agencies?
A study on ways to improve advertisement for social media engagement
A look into how social media creates a distorted view of real life
Social media and real-life: Does social media obscure reality?

Research questions are helpful when carrying out research in a particular field. To know more about your thesis on social media, you will need to create research questions on social media to help inform your writing. Some social media research questions to ask are;

Are social media platforms designed to be addictive?
What is a social media Algorithm, and how to navigate it?
To what extent are personal data stored on social app databases protected?
Can social media owners avoid government monitoring?
Should parents allow their children to navigate social media before they are 15?
Have social media jobs come to stay, or are they temporary?
Is social media influencer culture overtaking celebrity culture?
To what extent can social media help to curb racism and homophobia?
Does social media exacerbate or curb discriminatory practices?
Is social media an effective tool for learning?

Everyone has access to social media apps until they’ve reached a certain age. There are several social media essay topics for high school students to write about. Some social media titles for essays include;

How social media affects the academic performance of students
Why the use of social media is prohibited during school hours
Why students are obsessed with Tiktok
Running a profitable social media business while in high school and the challenges
The dangers of overusing editing apps
A critical essay on how editing apps and filters promote an unrealistic idea of beauty
The death of TV: how social media has stolen student’s interest

The challenge students have with their topic ideas for research papers is that they’re broad. A good social media thesis topic should be narrowed down. Narrowing a topic down helps you during research to focus on an issue.

Some narrow social media topics for the research paper include;

A study of how social media is overtaking Television in entertainment
A study of how social media has overtaken traditional journalism
An evaluation of the rise of influencer culture on Instagram
YouTube and how it has created sustainable income for black content creators
A comparative study of social media managers and content creators
A study of the decline of Instagram since the emergence of Tiktok
How Twitter breeds transphobic conversations

There are several areas of social media to focus your research on. If you are looking for some social media marketing topics, below are some social media research paper topics to consider;

Influencer culture and a modified model of mouth-to-mouth marketing
The growth of video marketing on Instagram
Social media managers as an essential part of online marketing
A study on how social media stories are optimized for marketing
An analysis of social media marketing and its impact on customer behavior
An evaluation of target marketing on social media

There are so many topics to choose from in this aspect. Some social issues research paper topics to explore are;

The growth of cyberattacks and cyberstalking in social media
Social media and how it promotes an unrealistic idea of life
Social media and the many impacts it has on users and businesses
Social media detox: Importance of taking scheduled social media breaks
How social media enable conversation on social challenges

Writing a research paper on social issues touches on various areas. Some are challenging, while others are easier to navigate.

Below are some of the easy social issues topics to choose from.

The growing issue of women’s and trans people’s rights
Religious bigotry and how it affects social progress
Sustainable living and why it’s important to the society
The social impact of climate change and global warming

Social science is a broad discipline. If you are looking for social science essay topics, below are some social science topics for research papers to look into;

Consumerism and how it’s perpetrated on social media
How religious beliefs impact social relationships
Inflation and how it affects the economy of a nation
A study of the limited availability of work opportunities for minority groups
A look into the concept of “low wage” jobs

Research writing is not always technical or challenging. Sometimes, it can be fun to write. It all depends on your choice of topic. Below are some topics on social media that are fun to work on;

The importance of social media branding for small businesses
A look into the monetization of Instagram
User engagement and how it can be converted into business leads
The study of emojis and their role in social media engagement
From Instagram to Tiktok: the poaching nature of social media apps

Research writing on social media networking studies social networking and its design and promotion on social media platforms. Some research papers on social media networking are;

The impact of social media networking on business owners
Social media networking and how it impacts influencer culture
Social media and how it’s used to build and develop social relationships
How social media made social networking services easier

Social media research writing is one of the most interesting research to conduct. It cuts across several interesting areas. The writer can handle almost every aspect of the dissertation or thesis statement about social media . But, students who find it challenging should seek professional help. You can reach out to our expert team of writers to help you handle every element of your writing. We have the best on our team who are always ready to give you their best.

300+ Social Media Research Topics

Social media has become an integral part of our lives, and it has transformed the way we communicate, share information, and interact with each other. As social media platforms continue to evolve and gain popularity, they have also become a rich source of data for researchers. Social media research is a rapidly growing field that encompasses a wide range of topics , from understanding the psychological and social effects of social media to analyzing patterns of user behavior and identifying trends in online conversations. In this era of data-driven decision-making, social media research is more important than ever, as it provides insights into how we use and are influenced by social media. In this post, we will explore some of the most fascinating and relevant social media research topics that are shaping our understanding of this powerful medium.

Social Media Research Topics

Social Media Research Topics are as follows:

The effects of social media on mental health
The role of social media in political polarization
The impact of social media on relationships
The use of social media by businesses for marketing
The effects of social media on body image and self-esteem
The influence of social media on consumer behavior
The use of social media for education
The effects of social media on language use and grammar
The impact of social media on news consumption
The role of social media in activism and social change
The use of social media for job seeking and career development
The effects of social media on sleep patterns
The influence of social media on adolescent behavior
The impact of social media on the spread of misinformation
The use of social media for personal branding
The effects of social media on political participation
The influence of social media on fashion trends
The impact of social media on sports fandom
The use of social media for mental health support
The effects of social media on creativity
The role of social media in cultural exchange
The impact of social media on language learning
The use of social media for crisis communication
The effects of social media on privacy and security
The influence of social media on diet and exercise behavior
The impact of social media on travel behavior
The use of social media for citizen journalism
The effects of social media on political accountability
The role of social media in peer pressure
The impact of social media on romantic relationships
The use of social media for community building
The effects of social media on gender identity
The influence of social media on music consumption
The impact of social media on academic performance
The use of social media for social support
The effects of social media on social skills
The role of social media in disaster response
The impact of social media on nostalgia and memory
The use of social media for charity and philanthropy
The effects of social media on political polarization in developing countries
The influence of social media on literary consumption
The impact of social media on family relationships
The use of social media for citizen science
The effects of social media on cultural identity
The role of social media in promoting healthy behaviors
The impact of social media on language diversity
The use of social media for environmental activism
The effects of social media on attention span
The influence of social media on art consumption
The impact of social media on cultural values and norms.
The impact of social media on mental health
The impact of social media on mental health.
The impact of social media on body image and self-esteem.
The use of social media for political activism and social justice movements.
The role of social media in promoting cultural diversity and inclusivity.
The impact of social media on romantic relationships and dating.
The use of social media for customer service and support.
The impact of social media on mental health and well-being among young adults.
The impact of social media on political polarization and partisanship.
The use of social media for health communication and behavior change.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards vaccination.
The impact of social media on political participation and civic engagement.
The impact of social media on political polarization and echo chambers.
The use of social media for political campaigning and the manipulation of public opinion.
The role of social media in shaping public attitudes towards vaccination and public health.
The impact of social media on news consumption and trust in journalism.
The use of social media for promoting sustainable fashion practices and ethical consumption.
The role of social media in influencing beauty standards and body image.
The impact of social media on the music industry and the role of social media influencers.
The use of social media for promoting mental health and well-being among healthcare professionals.
The role of social media in shaping public attitudes towards gun violence and gun control policies.
The impact of social media on social activism and advocacy.
The use of social media for promoting cross-cultural communication and intercultural understanding.
The role of social media in shaping public attitudes towards climate change and environmental policies.
The impact of social media on public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The use of social media for promoting financial literacy and access to financial services for low-income individuals.
The role of social media in shaping public attitudes towards immigration policies and refugee crises.
The impact of social media on political activism and social movements.
The use of social media for promoting digital literacy and technology education in developing countries.
The role of social media in shaping public attitudes towards gender and sexual orientation.
The impact of social media on consumer behavior in the food and beverage industry.
The use of social media for promoting mental health and well-being among first responders.
The role of social media in shaping public attitudes towards racial justice and police brutality.
The impact of social media on privacy concerns and data security.
The use of social media for promoting interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance.
The role of social media in shaping public attitudes towards income inequality and economic justice.
The impact of social media on the film and television industry and consumer behavior.
The use of social media for promoting mental health and well-being among military personnel.
The role of social media in shaping public attitudes towards privacy and data security.
The impact of social media on the hospitality industry and consumer behavior.
The use of social media for promoting intergenerational communication and understanding.
The role of social media in shaping public attitudes towards animal welfare and animal rights.
The impact of social media on the gaming industry and gamer behavior.
The use of social media for promoting digital literacy and technology skills among seniors.
The role of social media in shaping public attitudes towards renewable energy and sustainability.
The impact of social media on the advertising industry and consumer behavior.
The use of social media for promoting mental health and well-being among children and adolescents.
The role of social media in shaping public attitudes towards online privacy and security.
The impact of social media on the beauty industry and consumer behavior.
The use of social media for promoting cultural preservation and heritage tourism.
The role of social media in shaping public attitudes towards criminal justice reform.
The impact of social media on the automotive industry and consumer behavior.
The use of social media for promoting mental health and well-being among marginalized communities.
The role of social media in shaping public attitudes towards sustainable development goals.
The impact of social media on the fashion industry and consumer behavior.
The use of social media for promoting intercultural communication in the workplace.
The role of social media in shaping public attitudes towards mental health policies.
The impact of social media on the travel industry and sustainable tourism practices.
The use of social media for health information seeking and patient empowerment.
The role of social media in promoting environmental activism and sustainable practices.
The impact of social media on consumer behavior and brand loyalty.
The use of social media for promoting education and lifelong learning.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards mental health issues.
The impact of social media on the fashion industry and fast fashion practices.
The use of social media for promoting social entrepreneurship and social innovation.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards gun control.
The impact of social media on the mental health and well-being of adolescents.
The use of social media for promoting intercultural exchange and understanding.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards climate change.
The impact of social media on political advertising and campaign strategies.
The use of social media for promoting healthy relationships and communication skills.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards police brutality and racial justice.
The use of social media for promoting financial literacy and personal finance management.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights.
The impact of social media on the music industry and fan engagement.
The use of social media for promoting mental health and well-being among marginalized populations.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards immigration and border policies.
The impact of social media on the professional development and networking of journalists.
The use of social media for promoting community building and social cohesion.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards healthcare policies.
The impact of social media on the food industry and consumer behavior.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards gender equality.
The impact of social media on the sports industry and athlete-fan interactions.
The use of social media for promoting financial inclusion and access to banking services.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards animal welfare.
The use of social media for promoting mental health and well-being among college students.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards privacy and data security.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards income inequality and poverty.
The use of social media for promoting digital literacy and technology skills.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards renewable energy.
The use of social media for promoting mental health and well-being among elderly populations.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards online privacy and security.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards criminal justice reform.
The impact of social media on online activism and social movements.
The use of social media for business-to-business communication and networking.
The role of social media in promoting civic education and engagement.
The impact of social media on the fashion industry and sustainable fashion practices.
The use of social media for promoting cultural diversity and inclusion.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards police reform.
The impact of social media on the mental health and well-being of frontline healthcare workers.
The use of social media for promoting financial literacy and investment education.
The role of social media in promoting environmental sustainability and conservation.
The impact of social media on body image and self-esteem among adolescent girls.
The use of social media for promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards immigration policies and refugees.
The impact of social media on the professional development and networking of healthcare professionals.
The use of social media for promoting community resilience and disaster preparedness.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards the Black Lives Matter movement.
The impact of social media on the music industry and artist-fan interactions.
The use of social media for promoting healthy eating habits and nutrition education.
The role of social media in promoting mental health and well-being among college students.
The impact of social media on the entertainment industry and consumer behavior.
The use of social media for promoting workplace diversity and inclusion.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards climate change policies.
The impact of social media on the travel industry and consumer behavior.
The use of social media for promoting mental health and well-being among military veterans.
The role of social media in promoting intergenerational dialogue and understanding.
The impact of social media on the professional development and networking of educators.
The use of social media for promoting animal welfare and advocacy.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards reproductive rights.
The impact of social media on the sports industry and fan behavior.
The use of social media for promoting financial inclusion and literacy among underprivileged populations.
The role of social media in promoting mental health and well-being among LGBTQ+ populations.
The impact of social media on the food and beverage industry and consumer behavior.
The use of social media for promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards gun ownership.
The use of social media for promoting mental health and well-being among caregivers.
The role of social media in promoting sustainable tourism practices.
The impact of social media on the gaming industry and gamer culture.
The use of social media for promoting cultural heritage tourism and preservation.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards public transportation policies.
The use of social media for promoting mental health and well-being among homeless populations.
The role of social media in promoting mental health and well-being among immigrants and refugees.
The use of social media for promoting financial literacy and entrepreneurship among youth.
The use of social media for political mobilization and participation in authoritarian regimes.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards immigration policies.
The impact of social media on the professional development of teachers and educators.
The use of social media for emergency communication during public health crises.
The role of social media in promoting LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy.
The impact of social media on body positivity and self-acceptance among women.
The use of social media for public diplomacy and international relations.
The impact of social media on the mental health and well-being of marginalized communities.
The use of social media for crisis management and disaster response in the corporate sector.
The role of social media in promoting environmental activism and conservation.
The impact of social media on the professional development and networking of entrepreneurs.
The use of social media for medical education and healthcare communication.
The role of social media in promoting cultural exchange and understanding.
The impact of social media on social capital and civic engagement among young adults.
The use of social media for disaster preparedness and community resilience.
The role of social media in promoting religious pluralism and tolerance.
The use of social media for promoting healthy lifestyles and wellness.
The use of social media for fundraising and philanthropy in the non-profit sector.
The role of social media in promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding.
The impact of social media on the travel and tourism industry and consumer behavior.
The use of social media for customer engagement and brand loyalty in the retail sector.
The impact of social media on the political attitudes and behaviors of young adults.
The use of social media for promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The use of social media for promoting animal welfare and adoption.
The role of social media in promoting mental health and well-being among the elderly.
The impact of social media on the art industry and artist-fan interactions.
The use of social media for promoting healthy food choices and nutrition.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards income inequality.
The use of social media for promoting political satire and humor.
The role of social media in promoting disability rights and advocacy.
The use of social media for promoting voter registration and participation.
The role of social media in promoting entrepreneurship and small business development.
The use of social media for promoting mental health and well-being among incarcerated populations.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards gun violence prevention.
The use of social media for promoting cultural heritage and preservation.
The impact of social media on mental health and well-being.
The relationship between social media use and academic performance.
The use of social media for emergency communication during natural disasters.
The impact of social media on traditional news media and journalism.
The role of social media in shaping public opinion and discourse.
The use of social media for online learning and education.
The impact of social media on the fashion and beauty industry.
The use of social media for brand awareness and marketing.
The impact of social media on privacy and security.
The use of social media for job searching and recruitment.
The impact of social media on political polarization and extremism.
The use of social media for online harassment and cyberbullying.
The role of social media in promoting environmental awareness and sustainability.
The impact of social media on youth culture and identity formation.
The use of social media for travel and tourism marketing.
The impact of social media on consumer behavior and decision-making.
The role of social media in shaping beauty standards and body positivity.
The use of social media for crisis communication and disaster response.
The impact of social media on the music industry.
The use of social media for fundraising and philanthropy.
The role of social media in promoting healthy lifestyles and wellness.
The impact of social media on sports fandom and fan behavior.
The use of social media for political lobbying and advocacy.
The impact of social media on the entertainment industry.
The use of social media for healthcare communication and patient engagement.
The role of social media in promoting gender equality and feminism.
The impact of social media on the restaurant and food industry.
The use of social media for volunteerism and community service.
The role of social media in promoting religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue.
The impact of social media on the art industry.
The use of social media for political satire and humor.
The role of social media in promoting disability awareness and advocacy.
The impact of social media on the real estate industry.
The use of social media for legal advocacy and justice reform.
The role of social media in promoting intercultural communication and understanding.
The impact of social media on the automotive industry.
The use of social media for pet adoption and animal welfare advocacy.
The role of social media in promoting mental health and wellness for marginalized communities.
The impact of social media on the retail industry.
The use of social media for promoting civic engagement and voter participation.
The impact of social media on the film and television industry.
The use of social media for fashion and style inspiration.
The role of social media in promoting activism for human rights and social issues.
The effectiveness of social media for political campaigns.
The role of social media in promoting fake news and misinformation.
The impact of social media on self-esteem and body image.
The impact of social media on romantic relationships.
The use of social media for online activism and social justice movements.
The impact of social media on traditional news media.
The impact of social media on interpersonal communication skills.
The impact of social media on the fashion industry.
The use of social media for social support and mental health awareness.
The use of social media for political lobbying and activism.
The impact of social media on travel and tourism behavior.
The use of social media for customer feedback and market research.
The impact of social media on the restaurant industry.
The role of social media in political activism
The effect of social media on interpersonal communication
The relationship between social media use and body image concerns
The impact of social media on self-esteem
The role of social media in shaping cultural norms and values
The use of social media by celebrities and its impact on their image
The role of social media in building and maintaining personal relationships
The use of social media for job searching and recruitment
The impact of social media on children and adolescents
The use of social media by political candidates during election campaigns
The role of social media in education
The impact of social media on political polarization
The use of social media for news consumption
The effect of social media on sleep habits
The use of social media by non-profit organizations for fundraising
The role of social media in shaping public opinion
The influence of social media on language and communication patterns
The use of social media in crisis communication and emergency management
The role of social media in promoting environmental awareness
The influence of social media on music preferences
The impact of social media on body positivity movements
The role of social media in shaping beauty standards
The influence of social media on sports fandom
The use of social media for health promotion and education
The impact of social media on political participation
The role of social media in shaping parenting practices
The influence of social media on food preferences and eating habits
The use of social media for peer support and mental health advocacy
The role of social media in shaping religious beliefs and practices
The influence of social media on humor and comedy
The use of social media for online activism and social justice advocacy
The impact of social media on public health awareness campaigns
The role of social media in promoting cultural diversity and inclusion
The influence of social media on travel behavior and decision-making
The use of social media for international diplomacy and relations
The impact of social media on job satisfaction and employee engagement
The role of social media in shaping romantic preferences and dating behavior
The influence of social media on language learning and language use
The use of social media for political satire and humor
The impact of social media on social capital and community building
The role of social media in shaping gender identity and expression
The influence of social media on fashion and beauty advertising.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

200+ Funny Research Topics

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The Top 10 Most Interesting Social Media Research Topics

Finding social media research topics you’re interested in is tricky. Social media is a fairly new field, and the constant arrival of new technology means that it’s always evolving. So, students have a lot to think about in their search for topics.

In this article, we’re going to walk you through social media research paper topics that are timely and relevant. We’ll also show you examples of social media research topics you can get inspiration from. Lastly, we’re going to lay out some social media research questions you can ponder while formulating your topic.

Find your bootcamp match

What makes a strong social media research topic.

A strong social media research topic requires clarity of focus. This means that your topic must be timely, relevant, and coherent. This allows your research topic to be compelling and easily understandable to others.

Tips for Choosing a Social Media Research Topic

Know the trends. Learning what social media topics are trending allows you to know the relevant issues and emergent themes in the field of social media. This also lets you know what topics are well-researched and which ones are still emerging.
Explore knowledge gaps. Knowing what previous researchers have written prevents you from repeating knowledge that has already been explored and shared. Nobody wants to reinvent the wheel when doing research. Exploring knowledge gaps lets you increase the impact of your work and identify opportunities for further research.
Choose something that you’re interested in. Diving deep into a topic that you’re interested in motivates you to learn more about it. The research process becomes more engaging when you know you care about your topic.
Be specific. Knowing what you want to research and what you don’t want to research are keys to the research process. This entails narrowing down your topic to a specific area, subject, theme, or relationship. You want to know the scope and the limitations of your study.
Check your timeframe. Limiting your topic to a specific timeframe helps in narrowing down what you need to study. For example, you can decide to study a phenomenon that has emerged in just the last three years. By doing this, you’re making sure that your research is both specific and relevant.

What’s the Difference Between a Research Topic and a Research Question?

The difference between a research topic and a research question is in the scope. Research topics tend to be broader than research questions. Research topics focus on a specific area of study within a larger field, while a research question further narrows down what you are researching. A good research question allows you to write on your topic with greater precision.

How to Create Strong Social Media Research Questions

The key to creating strong social media research questions is learning enough about your topic to know where the gaps are. This means that you have to conduct a thorough social media literature review, reading previous studies until you have a handle on what’s been said and what questions are still unanswered. Your question will emerge from this preliminary research.

2. The Influence of Social Media on Mental Health

Mental health has been an important topic in social media research these past few years. Social media use and its connection to mental health has even been the subject of systematic reviews. This means that there’s a huge body of previous studies that you can look to when developing your research question.

Exploring both the positive effects and negative impacts of social media sites on mental health helps people and firms establish guidelines that help user communities. This research topic might also cover strategies for helping social media users improve their mental health.

3. The Role of Social Media in Political Campaigning

Social media is a new tool for political campaigning. Exploring what social media strategies have been conducted by politicians running for office helps in determining how social media aids in political campaigning. Studying new strategies like user-generated content for political campaigning allows you to know how voters interact with political candidates.

4. The Role of Social Media in Disinformation

The rise of fake news has coincided with the rise of social networking websites. This topic involves dissecting how social media technologies allow certain types of online content to thrive and make it easier for bad actors to spread disinformation.

5. How Social Media Can Benefit Communities

More and more social issues have been popularized through online content. Diving deep into how social media can facilitate organizational networking lets you compare the traditional and new organizing strategies being created in digital spaces. It also lets you understand how social media activity influences trends in virtual communities.

6. The Effects of Social Media Exposure on Child Development

Children also use social media sites. Some children use social networking sites under the supervision of their parents, and some do not. Social interaction, online or not, affects how children develop. Studying the psychological effects of social media exposure lets you know how social media may improve or derail the growth of children.

7. How Communication Has Evolved Through Social Media

Body language, tone of voice, and other non-verbal cues are absent in online forms of communication. In their place, emojis and other new ways to express thoughts and emotions have appeared. Learning how social media changes the way we talk to one another allows you to develop a theory of communication that takes into account the role of digital communities.

8. Social Media Platforms as Primary News Sources

A lot of people now are getting their daily dose of news and current events through social media. News networks have also established their social media presence on platforms that they can use to deliver news and current events to their audiences. Researching this topic lets you investigate the changes and innovations in information dissemination.

9. How Social Media Paves Way for Non-Traditional Advertising

Regular social media posts, advertisements, and other forms of online content aren’t the only ways businesses market to their audiences. Social media has paved the way for user-generated content and other non-traditional types of online marketing. With this topic, you can learn social media marketing strategies that have been capitalized on the social connection fostered by social networking websites.

10. Impacts of Social Media Presence on Corporate Image

More businesses increasingly build and curate their digital presence through various social networks. Knowing how a business can improve its corporate image through social media influence clarifies the role of technology in modern economics and online marketing.

Social Media Research Questions

How was Facebook used as a political campaigning tool in the 2020 United States presidential election?
What social platforms are the most effective in influencing consumer behavior?
How does user-generated content boost the credibility of a business?
How do different types of online content disseminated through popular networks affect the attention span of people?
What are the most effective forms of online content and social media strategies for increasing sales conversions for small businesses?

Choosing the Right Social Media Research Topic

Choosing the right social media research topic helps you create meaningful contributions to the discipline of social media studies. Knowing the most popular topics in the field can make you an expert on social media. By reading up on previous studies, you will not only be more informed but you will also be in a position to make a positive impact on future studies.

Studying the relationship between social media and different fields produces valuable knowledge. Even if you’re only interested in exploring one social platform or a single social media event or phenomenon, your research can help people better understand how social media engagement changes the face of social relationships in the world at large.

Social Media Research Topics FAQ

Social media is a computer-based technology that allows digital communities to exchange information through user networks. Various social media networks specialize in text, photo, or video transfer. All of these are ways for people on the Internet to share information and ideas with each other.

Social media research is important because it helps you contribute to the growing body of knowledge about digital social settings. In 2021, according to DataReportal, at least 4.88 billion people around the world use the Internet . The more that people connect with each other through the social media domain, the more their quality of life changes, for better or worse.

According to Statista, the most popular social media platforms right now are Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp , each of which has at least two billion users. These social networks allow users to share text, picture, and video content with one another.

People use social media to connect with each other, share information, and entertain themselves. Social media sites can broadly serve all of these purposes or be focused on just one of these functions.

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120 Amazing Social Media Research Topics Online

Selection of the Best Social Media Research Topics in 2023

What Are The Elements of a Good Social Media Research Paper

When you have an objective to explore social media research topics , you have to narrow things down because one faces the risks of addressing every aspect of the social environment. The main characteristic that one has to check when choosing a great topic on social media is the thesis statement that will make an argument or show what issue will be researched. For example, when you talk about cyberbullying or the culture of Instagram influencers, you have to make a clear statement and provide an outline with an accessible structure and statistical data to support your arguments.

How to Choose a Suitable Social Media Research Topic

Most importantly, you must choose something you know well and a discussion that inspires you. When you are not passionate about the subject , you will not find sufficient aspects or keep the content static. As you choose a research topic about social media , think about what needs to be researched better and avoid the most common ideas that have already been discussed and researched before. The key element is finding keywords that will instantly make things clear. While it may not be possible to include everything in the topic sentence, the word sequence is essential!

What's the Difference Between Choosing a Research Topic and a Research Question?

A research question is your main argument and can relate to your thesis statement. Sometimes, a college or university professor will provide you with a prompt that will make it easier to follow an idea or a problem. Likewise, you may have several social media research questions where you have to narrow things down and accumulate things in a research topic. It will help specify what you plan to research and show what your paper does not contain. The research topic should also be connected to a research question but do not copy it word for word.

Social Media Research Topics

Social media is the most time-consuming problem of the last decade.
The environmental benefit of Facebook and Twitter.
Elon Musk and the politics on social media.
Cyberbullying of social media: the new menace.
Social media across the world: the cultural points in Italy and Spain.
The use of slang on social media among teenagers.
The dangers of driving while browsing social media.
Social media in the field of mechanical engineering.
The benefits of posting a resume on LinkedIn.
The dangers of Instagram for children.

Social Media Research Questions

Social media as the driving force behind the Black Lives Matter movement.
The use of social media for students with ADHD.
The pros and cons of the school blogs: improving the writing skills .
Social media as the solution to evaluate middle school students.
The benefits of using social media for the Law course.
The use of social media to alter and distort the world's news.
Social media and the problems of online addiction.
The use of social media blocking apps among college students.
Body image and Instagram.
The dangers of national security in the United States and TikTok.

Research Papers on Social Media

The problem of intellectual property on social media.
Posting private pictures of celebrities on social media and copyrights.
Social media challenges for the older generation: a generational study .
Twitter as the political platform and the presidential elections in the United States.
The phenomenon of Like culture and the youth culture.
The governmental control of social media and illegal trading.
The problem of missing people and using social media to locate people.
The challenges of privacy settings on Facebook versus Instagram.
The use of commercial advertising on Instagram and the trading legislation in the USA.
Social media as the advertisement tool in 2023.

Interesting Social Media Research Topic

Social media is a great foundation for innovative startups.
Social media is used to discover a person's moral qualities.
The bond between the parents and children by using social media.
Becoming a celebrity: how can Instagram be used to make someone famous?
The use of pets as social media heroes.
The use of social media platforms by people with disabilities.
Social media for psychology experiments: is it legit for the sample collection?
How can a political campaign be started on social media?
The use of Facebook to distribute information and filters.
How can social media help children to learn about online safety?

Social Media Research Papers

Social media as a platform to fight for justice and non-commercial work.
The use of psychological pressure on social media for marketing purposes.
Social media and the use of cloud storage through the lens of legislation.
The intellectual property and the use of commercial content by the NGOs.
The culture of TikTok in the United States versus Europe.
Instagram and the cultural image of an average user.
The educational aspect of LinkedIn and the Lynda courses.
The dark side of Facebook and the implementation of systematic internal filters.
The philosophy of friendship on social media.
The problem of stalking on Facebook and the measures to prevent it.

Informative Research Questions on Social Media

What countries use social media the most, and why?
Is social media representing modern-day journalism in 2023?
Virtual isolation and the use of social media among teenagers.
Social media image and web page platforms for scientists .
The most influential celebrities that became famous because of social media.
Can bloggers be considered journalists? Why or why not?
Social media and racial prejudice: how can Facebook be partial?
Should social media have a political aspect to it?
The history of Facebook and the Internet culture.
Korean pop culture and the use of TikTok.

Argumentative Research Topics About Social Media

Social media is mostly a waste of time because most content is useless.
Social media argumentative essay : Twitter is a political platform and is always based on the stakeholder's objectives.
Instagram is not the same social media platform as Facebook.
LinkedIn is a career network for professionals for business success.
Facebook is no longer the youth platform and is mostly occupied by the older generation.
The history and peculiarities of Asian social media networks.
Social media is helpful for environmental science campaigns.
Twitter is a platform often used for illegal activity and gambling.
Social media is the worst platform for violating intellectual property.
The problem of the fake profiles of famous people.

Amazing Social Media Paper Topics

The philosophy of friendship and care through the lens of social media.
Social media as the primary source based on interviews and personal surveys.
Student cooperation through private groups on social media.
The safety rules for middle school students: Facebook and Twitter.
The use of Instagram for educational purposes: fashion studies.
Digital marketing and Facebook’s language filters: the traduzione aspect.
The cultural points of posts on Twitter: what are the peculiarities of socializing?
The most famous social media political campaigns in the United States.
The influence of dancing classes' popularity and TikTok.
The mechanisms of violation reporting on Facebook versus Instagram.

Social Media Research Paper Thesis

The commercial side of social media takes the primary role of popularity.
Facebook is the platform that helps to unfold environmental issues worldwide.
Instagram has a negative influence on the body image of teenagers.
The pros and cons of app integration on Facebook for educational purposes.
Social media as the call to make a positive change in the healthcare sector.
Distribution of financial campaigns on social media: who runs the show?
The evolution of Facebook through the years: from social networking to political clashes.
The cultural peculiarities of TikTok in the United States versus China.
The validity of information on Facebook: why should we believe the political statements?
The most common dangers of social media: identity theft and data protection of minors.

Social Network Topics

The internal mechanisms of social media: analysis of the psychological aspect.
Virtual bonding on social media versus body language.
The British social media traditions vs. the American peculiarities on social media.
The most iconic memes on Facebook and the history of the practice.
Social media posts that helped to save lives and change the world.
The practice of responsibility and the legal aspect of things on Instagram.
The disputes on social media: when the line is crossed.
The link of business success to leading active social media posts.
The blogging techniques of Instagram versus Facebook: a comparison study.
Should social media be connected to banking and social security apps?

Research Papers on Social Media For College

The best methods for how social media can be used to expand the research.
Social media should be used as a tool for business evaluation by analyzing business websites.
Facebook as the instrument of political agenda: the reasons why it's not a network alone.
The role of Twitter in the armed conflicts of the last two decades.
The spelling checkers and grammar tools that are used by social media networks.
The security and data science protection methods on Instagram.
The business model of Facebook: how can an executive plan be made?
The dance trends and the movements: the popularity and influencers.
The way how Instagram influencers can be used as an educational promotion.
Social media as a national alert system to warn about natural disasters.

When You Need a Bit of Extra Writing Help!

Summing up, the most important factor is the inspiration and the ideas that motivate you. Always take your time to see what moves you and start with the sources and statistical data to keep your tone clear and confident. When you have an idea that is not yours, you must ensure that every reference is done properly according to the writing style format. While you are checking your bibliography, remember to proofread and edit things twice!

Now, if you need help creating a topic on social media or any other subject, you can always refer to our free database of essays and topics. The experts have carefully chosen and sorted these to help you with your writing tasks. Our site has thousands of topics that will help you to learn how to deal with a particular subject! If you have a keyword related to social media or would like to talk about how environmentalists use Facebook to keep the world informed, just enter a relevant keyword that inspires you. Our database will help you to find free samples to let you start!

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13 social media research topics to explore in 2024

Last updated

15 January 2024

Reviewed by

Miroslav Damyanov

To help you choose a specific area to examine, here are some of the top social media research topics that are relevant in 2024.

What makes a strong social media research topic?

Consider the factors below to ensure your topic is strong and compelling:

Clarity: regardless of the topic you investigate, clarity is essential. It ensures readers will be able to understand your work and any wider learnings. Your argument should be clear and your language unambiguous.

Trend relevancy: you need to know what’s currently happening in social media to draw relevant conclusions. Before choosing a topic, consider current popular platforms, trending content, and current use cases to ensure you understand social media as it is today.

New insights: if your research is to be new, innovative, and helpful for the wider population, it should cover areas that haven’t been studied before. Look into what’s already been thoroughly researched to help you uncover knowledge gaps that could be good focus areas.

Tips for choosing social media research topics

When considering social media research questions, it’s also important to consider whether you’re the right person to conduct that area of study. Your skills, interests, and time allocated will all impact your suitability.

Consider your skillset: your specific expertise is highly valuable when conducting research. Choosing a topic that aligns with your skills will help ensure you can add a thorough analysis and your own learnings.

Align with your interests: if you’re deeply interested in a topic, you’re much more likely to enjoy the process and dedicate the time it needs for a thorough analysis.

Consider your resources: the time you have available to complete the research, your allocated funds, and access to resources should all impact the research topic you choose.

13 social media research paper topics

To help you choose the right area of research, we’ve rounded up some of the most compelling topics within the sector. These ideas may also help you come up with your own.

1. The influence of social media on mental health

It’s well-documented that social media can impact mental health. For example, a significant amount of research has highlighted the link between social media and conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress—but there’s still more to uncover in this area.

There are high rates of mental illness worldwide, so there’s continual interest in ways to understand and mitigate it. Studies could focus on the following areas:

The reasons why social media can impact mental health

How social media can impact specific mental health conditions (you might also look at different age groups here)

How to reduce social media’s impact on mental health

2. The effects of social media exposure on child development

There are many unknowns with social media. More research is needed to understand how it impacts children. As such, this is a very valuable research area.

You might explore the following topics:

How social media impacts children at different ages

The long-term effects of childhood social media use

The benefits of social media use in children

How social media use impacts childhood socialization, communication, and learning

3. The role of social media in political campaigning

Social media’s role in political campaigning is nothing new. The Cambridge Analytica Scandal, for example, involved data from millions of Facebook profiles being sold to a third party for political advertising. Many believe this could have impacted the 2016 US election results. Ultimately, Facebook had to pay a private class-action lawsuit of $725 million.

The role of social media in political campaigns is of global significance. Concerns are still high that social media can play a negative role in elections due to the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and the bandwagon effect.

Research in this area could look into the following topics:

How people are influenced by social media when it comes to voting

Ways to mitigate misinformation

Election interference and how this can be prevented

4. The role of social media in misinformation and disinformation

Misinformation and disinformation mean slightly different things. Misinformation is unintentionally sharing false or inaccurate information, while disinformation is sharing false information with the deliberate intent to mislead people.

Both can play a role not just in elections but throughout social media. This became particularly problematic during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research into this area is important given the widespread risk that comes with spreading false information about health and safety-related topics.

Here are some potential research areas:

How misinformation and disinformation are spread via social media

The impact of false information (you could focus on how it impacts health, for example)

Strategies for mitigating the impact of false information and encouraging critical thinking

The avenues through which to hold technology companies accountable for spreading misinformation

5. The impact of AI and deepfakes on social media

AI technology is expected to continue expanding in 2024. Some are concerned that this could impact social media. One concern is the potential for the widespread use of deepfake technology—a form of AI that uses deep learning to create fake images.

Fake images can be used to discredit, shame, and control others, so researchers need to deeply understand this area of technology. You might look into the following areas:

The potential impacts of deepfakes on businesses and their reputations

Deepfake identities on social media: privacy concerns and other risks

How deepfake images can be identified, controlled, and prevented

6. How social media can benefit communities

While there’s much research into the potential negative impacts of social media, it can also provide many benefits.

Social media can establish connections for those who might otherwise be isolated in the community. It can facilitate in-person gatherings and connect people who are physically separated, such as relatives who live in different countries. Social media can also provide critical information to communities quickly in the case of emergencies.

Research into the ways social media can provide these key benefits can make interesting topics. You could consider the following:

Which social media platforms offer the most benefits

How to better use social media to lean into these benefits

How new social platforms could connect us in more helpful ways

7. The psychology of social media

Social media psychology explores human behavior in relation to social media. There are a range of topics within social media psychology, including the following:

The influence of social media on social comparison

Addiction and psychological dependence on social media

How social media increases the risk of cyberbullying

How social media use impacts people’s attention spans

Social interactions and the impact on socialization

Persuasion and influence on social media

8. How communication has evolved through social media

Social media has provided endless ways for humans to connect and interact, so the ways we do this have evolved.

Most obviously, social media has provided ways to connect instantaneously via real-time messaging and communicate using multimedia formats, including text, images, emojis, video content, and audio.

This has made communication more accessible and seamless, especially given many people now own smartphones that can connect to social media apps from anywhere.

You might consider researching the following topics:

How social media has changed the way people communicate

The impacts of being continuously connected, both positive and negative

How communication may evolve in the future due to social media

9. Social media platforms as primary news sources

As social media use has become more widespread, many are accessing news information primarily from their newsfeeds. This can be particularly problematic, given that newsfeeds are personalized providing content to people based on their data.

This can cause people to live in echo chambers, where they are constantly targeted with content that aligns with their beliefs. This can cause people to become more entrenched in their way of thinking and more unable or unwilling to see other people’s opinions and points of view.

Research in this area could consider the following:

The challenges that arise from using social media platforms as a primary news source

The pros and cons of social media: does it encourage “soloization” or diverse perspectives?

How to prevent social media echo chambers from occurring

The impact of social media echo chambers on journalistic integrity

10. How social media is impacting modern journalism

News platforms typically rely on an advertising model where more clicks and views increase revenue. Since sensationalist stories can attract more clicks and shares on social media, modern journalism is evolving.

Journalists are often rewarded for writing clickbait headlines and content that’s more emotionally triggering (and therefore shareable).

Your research could cover the following areas:

How journalism is evolving due to social media

How to mitigate social media’s impact on neutral reporting

The importance of journalistic standards in the age of social media

11. The impact of social media on traditional advertising

Digital advertising is growing in popularity. Worldwide, ad spending on social media was expected to reach $207.1 billion in 2023 . Experts estimate that ad spending on mobile alone will reach $255.8 billion by 2028 . This move continues to impact traditional advertising, which takes place via channels like print, TV, and radio.

Most organizations consider their social strategy a critical aspect of their advertising program. Many exclusively advertise on social media—especially those with limited budgets.

Here are some interesting research topics in this area

The impact of different advertising methods

Which social media advertising channels provide the highest return on investment (ROI)

The societal impacts of social media advertising

12. Impacts of social media presence on corporate image

Social media presence can provide companies with an opportunity to be visible and increase brand awareness . Social media also provides a key way to interact with customers.

More and more customers now expect businesses to be online. Research shows that 63% of customers expect companies to offer customer service via their social media channels, while a whopping 90% have connected with a brand or business through social media.

Research in this area could focus on the following topics:

The advantages and disadvantages of social media marketing for businesses

How social media can impact a business’s corporate image

How social media can boost customer experience and loyalty

13. How social media impacts data privacy

Using social media platforms is free for the most part, but users have to provide their personal data for the privilege. This means data collection , tracking, the potential for third parties to access that data, psychological profiling, geolocation, and tracking are all potential risks for users.

Data security and privacy are of increasing interest globally. Research within this area will likely be in high demand in 2024.

Here are some of the research topics you might want to consider in this area:

Common privacy concerns with social media use

Why is social media privacy important?

What can individuals do to protect their data when using social media?

The importance of social media research

As social media use continues to expand in the US and around the world, there’s continual interest in research on the topic. The research you conduct could positively impact many groups of people.

Topics can cover a broad range of areas. You might look at how social media can harm or benefit people, how social media can impact journalism, how platforms can impact young people, or the data privacy risks involved with social media use. The options are endless, and new research topics will present themselves as technology evolves.

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Actual use of social media for engagement to enhance students' learning

Published: 05 April 2022
Volume 27 , pages 9767–9789, ( 2022 )

Cite this article

Nasser Alalwan 1

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Learners can interact and connect with one another in new ways thanks to social media. This study employs two models to investigate the factors that contribute to students' involvement in order to improve their learning: constructivism and the technology acceptance model (TAM). Therefore, the objective of this research is to create a model of real use of social media for engagement by conducting an empirical examination into students' adoption of actual use of social media for education. A survey was distributed to 410 university students in order to achieve this goal. A quantitative research approach and partial least squares structural equation modelling were used to acquire the results (PLS-SEM). The outcomes of our empirical examination suggest that determining discriminant validity has become a widely accepted prerequisite for analysing latent factor connections. The studies also demonstrated that using social media to engage students and improve their learning in higher education is extremely beneficial. The findings revealed real use of social media for interaction via interactions variables and TAM model acceptance. Students' pleasure with learning was also favourably associated to their actual usage of social media and involvement, according to the findings. As a conclusion, the result of R-Square's perceived usefulness was 0.611%, students' engagement was 0.561%, actual use of social media was 0.582%, students’ satisfaction was 0.611%, and students' learning was 0.627%. This study's findings and ramifications are presented.

Adoption of online mathematics learning in Ugandan government universities during the COVID-19 pandemic: pre-service teachers’ behavioural intention and challenges

Online learning in higher education: exploring advantages and disadvantages for engagement

Learning environments’ influence on students’ learning experience in an Australian Faculty of Business and Economics

Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.

1 Introduction

Currently, students have ample opportunities to access new technology, and according to studies, students have a positive attitude toward new technology use (Farwell & Waters, 2010 ). Even before technological contexts emerged, collaboration and social exchanges were claimed to be central to learning (Friesen & Lowe, 2012 ). In addition to the fact that the majority of students use social media to establish and maintain connection with friends and family(Li, 2012 ), such positive attitudes facilitate students in learning to utilize social media in their classes and research. In this context, scholars have tried to examine social media based on several viewpoints via their definitions, uses and impacts. In fact, several studies have investigated teaching through social media in universities as a part of educational work for gathering related material (Miah et al., 2012 ). Some academic and educational publications have shown how the academic sector can utilize social media (Minocha & Petre, 2012 ). According to (Al-Rahmi et al., 2015e ), due to the significance of working memory in education, future studies should endeavor to examine such a connection. Along a similar line of reasoning, (Yu et al., 2010 ) found that online social networking can enhance the psychological well-being of students and their skill development as well as learning outcomes. Some scholars have used social media tools to share information, resources, and media with each other; discuss their teaching methods and students; solicit support from and offer guidance to others; engage in social commentary; build professional personas; link with others; and highlight their engagement in different online networks (Al-rahmi et al., 2015b ; Veletsianos, 2012 ). Within the social realm, interactive Internet websites, services, tools, and practices support collaboration, constructivism, community development, information sharing and the exchange of ideas (Al-Rahmi et al., 2020 ). Social media technologies facilitating social interactions facilitate collaboration and deliberation among stakeholders (Bryer & Zavattaro, 2011 ). Data on involvement and the contribution of social media to increasing students' learning is acquired from social media users. As a result, the primary purpose of this research is to develop a structure of social media usage for involvement in higher education to affect students' learning. Among research students, social media is frequently used for educational or non-educational objectives. As a result, this research aims to learn more about resources that may be utilized in the classroom, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube (Liu, 2010 ). The two principles provided in this study (TAM) are constructivism and the adoption and use of technology, which propose a set of key elements as a guide for interaction and social media use for participation, impacting satisfaction and boosting students' learning. Furthermore, the goal of this study is to contribute to the expanding body of information on using social media for participation.It also makes a practical contribution by looking into how social media usage affects students' learning in higher education. The importance of our studies relating social media with university research students in cooperating student engagement among students and faculty members, as well as obtaining more knowledge and knowledge sharing, necessitates further investigation of factors influencing users in such academic settings.

1.1 Problem Background

This study's problem backdrop may be divided into three components. The first section is on the lack of usage of social media for engagement with consideration of relevant constructivism theory and the TAM (Haq & Chand, 2012 ; Nemetz et al., 2012 ). Haq and Chand ( 2012 ) stated that students at the University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, agreed that using social media negatively affected their education at a rate of 61%, while 39% students agreed that using social media positively affected their learning. Similarly, (Kirschner & Karpinski, 2010 ) showed that students of Midwestern University, US, agreed at a rate of 74.3% that the utilization of several social media platforms had a negative impact on students’ learning, while only 25.7% of students agreed that using social media had a positive impact. Moreover, Ricaurte-Quijano & Carli-Álvarez ( 2016 ) showed that although the majority of students are Wikipedia users, there is still a lack of knowledge about its function, structure and user community and a negative perception of Wikipedia. The lack of useful instrument methods to measure such factors in such a context in a scientific study (Giannakos & Vlamos, 2013 ) (Yeh et al., 2011 ) and the lack of actual use of social media for student engagement while considering relevant interactive and perceptual factors are discussed in the second part (Haq & Chand, 2012 ; Nemetz et al., 2012 ). The final section looks at the prospect of modeling social media approval alongside constructivist theory using a theoretical model of constructs relevant to active "constructivism" and perceptual "TAM" aspects that present in both social media and academic settings (Zakaria et al., 2010 ). Furthermore, there appears to be a dearth of models for study in knowledge-based social media and how it affects learning capacity in higher education (Al-Rahmi et al., 2020 ) (Zakaria et al., 2010 ). Teaching staff and students in many developing countries are being encouraged for the first time to socially communicate for academic objectives as a result of COVID-19. In the lack of an online learning management system, social media may present a tremendous opportunity for these schools to socially connect wih their students and enhance online learning (Manca, 2020 ). As a consequence, peer-to-peer interactions, actual usage of social media, usefulness and convenience of use, perceived utility, student happiness, and student learning are all studied in this study.

2 Theoretical model and hypotheses

According to constructivism, students build knowledge rather than simply taking up information. People develop their own representations and incorporate new knowledge into their prior knowledge as they meet and reflect just on environment.Therefore, the current study exposed that the integration of social media is interrelated to the engagement among university students. Variables of social media include interactions with peers (IP), interactions with lecturers (IL), actual use of social media (ASU), engagement (EN), perceived ease of use (PE), perceived usefulness (PU), students’ satisfaction (SS) and enhancing students' learning (SL). Social media networks enhance students’ interactivity and bolster novice students in building knowledge, as in social constructivism (Noar & Zimmerman, 2005 ). This study will also use the TAM familiarized by Davis et al. ( 1992 ). As a result, post structuralist (Vygotsky et al., 1978 ) will be used to establish a central concept: learning is a creative and active process.Some surveys have revealed that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use possess a critical part in manipulating satisfaction and people’s actual use of social media as an innovative and new technology (Yeh et al., 2011 ). As a result, via an empirical inquiry of students' acceptance of the real use of social media for learning, this study intends to construct a model that assesses social media have used to determine the level of involvement Fig. 1 .

Research Model and Hypotheses

Moreover, (Jonassen, 1997 ) suggested a model to design a web-based constructivist learning environment in which problems are connected with circumstances, knowledge resources that help build cognitive tools, information construction, and social aid. As stated by (Tsai, 2011 ) (Jonassen, 1997 ) model was replicated and updated for building constructivist environments to develop an active collective learning technique. Jonassen’s model developed a collaborating stage for the implementation of constructivist learning higher education and is presented in Fig. 2 .

Constructivist Educational Model (Al-Rahmi, et al., 2015 )

2.1 Constructivist theory

Constructivism is a learning theory based on the premise that the knower constructs knowledge via brain processing (Kirschner & Karpinski, 2010 ). The constructivist approach proposes that improving knowledge necessitates active learners' participation (Kirschner & Karpinski, 2010 ).Among the diverse strands of constructivism, the social cognitive theory of Bandura (Ricaurte-Quijano & Carli-Álvarez, 2016 ) has been related to the use of technology. Therefore, in this study, we chose factors from this approach because they have a strong relationship with social media users. Interaction, cooperation, and engagement all have a link, as does perceived utility and consumer of use. Furthermore, the construction of a model for social media use completely hypothesized an expectancy theory and constructivism. This approach may be used to investigate the acceptability and adoption of new social media usage in greater depth (Yampinij et al., 2012 ). (Al-rahmi et al., 2015f ).

2.2 Interactivity with peers and lecturers

Interactions and communication reinforce active participation, a necessary component in students’ learning (Hrastinski, 2009 ). According to (Liu, 2003 ), Using social media helps facilitate peer interaction and lecturers, as well as increasing knowledge-sharing capabilities. Engaging learning is an instructional approach that involve social networking and web—based learning among students, and it includes a variety of learning styles (Liu, 2003 ).Those students who register in online courses were found to spend increasing time utilizing online materials as well as social media to support their learning materials in comparison to their peers in face-to-face courses (Abrahim et al., 2019 ; Liu et al., 2011 ). Peer collaboration with the help of social media offers opportunities for community development among students (Top, 2012 ). The scientists propose hypotheses in light of the preceding discussion:

H1: There is a strong link between student interaction with peers and their level of engagement.

H2: There is a strong link between students' interaction with lecturers and their level of engagement.

2.3 Engagement

When students are learning from peers or lecturers, they show a high level of attention, curiosity, interest, optimism, and passion, which extends to their desire to learn and learning of the students (Nemetz et al., 2012 ).Social media comprises various web-based tools and services created for the promotion of community development via collaboration and sharing of information (Arnold & Paulus, 2010 ). According to current studies, social media use in the educational field can result in increased student engagement (Pozzi et al., 2016 ) (Al-rahmi et al., 2015g ). Social media engagement can also assist in cementing students’ relationships with peers, creating a virtual community of learners and eventually contributing to the level of overall learning (Fewkes & McCabe, 2012 ). The researchers offer the following hypothesis in light of the preceding discussion:

H9: There is indeed a strong link between student satisfaction and engagement.

H10: There is a strong link between student engagement and their learning.

2.4 Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)

The TAM is a framework for understanding how people accept and use technologies in data systems (Davis et al., 1992 ). According to (Doll & Torkzadeh, 1988 ), actual use of social media and emotional attitude reflect actual use of the system. The TAM, originally introduced by, is one of the most widely recognized and utilized models for studying the actual usage behavior of innovative technologies (Davis, 1989 ). It is based on the application of the principle of reasoned action by a group of people (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980 ),and as it pays attention to the external features that can affect actual use of social media and behavior, many variations have been developed (Jan & Contreras, 2011 ). One of the well-received and important modifications of the TAM was the addition of social impact techniques in predicting the usage behavior of its regular operators and their affective attitude toward a novel technique (Venkatesh et al., 2002 ). The latter objective is understood as the belief that learning how to use the novel technique will require little effort (Tsai et al., 2012 ).

2.5 Actual Use Social Media, Ease of Use, and Usefulness

Perceived usefulness is the degree to which a person believes that utilizing the system would improve his or her work performance (Davis et al., 1992 ). Perceived ease of use is the degree to which the individual believes that using a technology would be painless (Davis et al., 1992 ).Furthermore, actual system usage is influenced by behavioral intentions, which are influenced by attitudes toward system use. In the TAM, attitudes about usage are directly influenced by beliefs in the technology, perceived utility, and perceived ease of use (Davis et al., 1992 ). According to previous research (Zeithaml, 2000 ), new media is a straightforward way to use technology to enhance students' learning environment. Many studies on the TAM have found that perceived ease of use is linked to perceived usefulness (Nysveen et al., 2005 ). On the subject of social media, we employ numerous social media platforms to operationalize the real use of social media-related behaviors for this investigation (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1977 ). As an outcome, by student engagement, the usage of social media improves student engagement and learning. The researchers offer the following possibilities after examining the preceding conversation:

H3: There is indeed a significant link among perceived usefulness and ease of use of social media and intent to use it.

H4: There is a strong link between perceived social media value and actual use of social media.

H5: There is an important connection between perceived ease to utilize with perceived usefulness.

H6: There is an important connection between actual uses of social media with engagement.

H7: There is an important connection between actual uses of social media with students’ satisfaction.

H8: There is an important connection between actual uses of social media with students' learning.

2.6 Students' learning and satisfaction

A student's learning is the consequence of education; it is also the degree to which a student, instructor, or institution has attained their educational goals (Al-rahmi et al., 2015b ). The feeling of fun and success in the learning environment is known as student satisfaction (Doll & Torkzadeh, 1988 ). (Al-Rahmi et al., 2015d ).Additionally, (Almenara & Díaz, 2014 ) reported that students of the University of Sevilla used social software for learning purposes. It is possible that by emphasizing learners’ needs and implementing determinative evaluations through the formation of schoolroom communities, learners’ engagement will be enabled, and students’ accomplishments, information supervision and knowledge sharing will be improved. According to (Al-rahmi, et al., 2015d ), the usage of social media impacts research students’ learning. Few concrete academic experiments have been devoted to the use of Twitter in university classrooms in the U.S. and Spain (Tur et al., 2017 ) (Malik et al., 2019 ). Furthermore, the use of social media facilitates a positive relationship between students learning as well as gratification (Yampinij et al., 2012 ). The scientists hypothesize the following in light of the preceding discussion:

H11: There is a strong link between student or learner satisfaction and academic achievement.

3 Research methodology

In this study, the students have been experiencing how social media use enhances their learning. The tools of actual social media use, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Blogger, have been encouraged by many universities, for educational purposes. As a result, via an empirical inquiry of students' acceptance of the real use of social media for learning, this study intends to construct a model that assesses social media have used to determine the level of involvement.In this study, the content of the questionnaire (instrument validation) was evaluated through two experts who were senior lecturers in the computing departments at university; see the questionnaire in the appendix. According to (Tur et al., 2017 ), the recommended sample was determined to be 380 respondents from university students. The questionnaires were distributed to 520 students, of whom 76 returned uncompleted questionnaires and 34 did not return questionnaires; thus, the number of responses ultimately used for the analysis was 410. A 5-point Likert scale was used to compute the questionnaire items (1: strongly disagree; 2: disagree; 3: neutral; 4: agree; 5: strongly agree). Collaborative characteristics, demographic items, and TAM factors made up all of the items. Hand-circulated questionnaires were distributed. Respondents were asked about their experiences with using social media for active collaborative engaging learners, as well as their perceptions of its influence on their satisfaction, particularly students' learning.Therefore, the number of responses was higher than the recommended number. The main statistical procedure used in this study was partial least squares structural equation modelling (sem (PLS-SEM) in Smart PLS package 3.0, which has been applied in two stages: the first phase was internal consistency, concurrent validity, and classifier validity of the measures, and the second stage was construct validity, concurrent validity, as well as discriminant validity of the measures.The structural model was investigated in the second step. This strategy was proposed by (Hair Jr et al., 2017 ).The following sections provide details of the analyses.

3.1 Model measurements and instrumentations

Interactivity with peers (IP), interactivity with lecturers (IL), engagement (EN), perceived ease of use (PE), perceived usefulness (PU), actual use of social media (ASU), students' satisfaction (SS), and students' learning (SL) were all measured using constructivist theory and the technology acceptance model (TAM). Furthermore, the metric employed in previous studies was applied in this research (Al-rahmi et al., 2015f ). With the aid of PLS-SEM in Smart PLS 3.0, the validity and reliability of the measurement model were confirmed in the first stage. Construct validity was established using loadings, Cronbach's alpha, convergent validity, and convergence validity prior conducting hypothesis testing to assess the model's goodness-of-fit (Fornell & Larcker, 1981 ). As per the suggestion, the criterion test was employed to confirm discriminant validity.

3.2 Sample characteristics

The questionnaire samples were finished by 410 respondents. Among the respondents, 180 were male and 230 were female, representing 43.90% and 56.10% of the whole sample, respectively. A total of 107 respondents (26.1%) fell in the 21- to 24-year-old age category, whereas 114 respondents (27.8%) of the respondents were in the 25- to 30-year-old category. A total of 123 respondents (30%) were in the 30- to 35-year-old category, and 66 respondents (16.1%) were older than 35 years. A total of 97 (23.7%) respondents were in a full research-based master’s program, 123 (30%) respondents were in a mixed-mode master’s program, 111 (27.1%) respondents were in a master’s teaching program, 69 (16.8%) respondents were in a PhD program, and 10 (2.4%) respondents were in a post-doctoral program. Approximately 97.8% of the sample used social media to facilitate their learning.

4 Result and Analysis

In this study, (SEM) was utilized as the chief statistical method, followed by two stages. The first stage included construct validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the measures. The structure modeling approach was the second stage. This procedure was followed in accordance with (Hair Jr et al., 2017 ).

4.1 Construct validity of the measurements

The term "construct validity" describes how successfully the items generated assess a structure and can properly assess what they were supposed to evaluate (Hair Jr et al., 2017 ).More precisely, items that are considered for measuring a construct must have greater weigh in their corresponding construct than in other constructs. Later, the researchers performed an extensive assessment of the literature to produce items that had already been recognized and verified in past research According to Hair et al. ( 2017 ), the comparative incremental fit index (CFI ≥ 0.90 = 0.943), Tucker-Lewis coefficient (TLI ≥ 0.90 = 0.963), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) for a good fit < 0.10 & for a very good fit < 0.05 (0.041), and root mean-square residual (RMR) Close to 0 can be used to fit model approximation (0.032). Based on factor analysis, all of the items were accurately allocated to their corresponding constructs.In compared to other constructs, each object has a lot of loadings in its own constructions (Table 1 ). All of the selected items were well loaded on their constructs, interactions with peers (IP), interactions with lecturers (IL), actual use of social media (ASU), engagement (EN), perceived ease of use (PE), perceived usefulness (PU), students’ satisfaction (SS) and enhancing students' learning (SL), see Table 1 .

4.2 Convergent validity of the measurements

Table 2 reveals composite reliability index ranging from 0.893 to 0.941, which is greater than the suggested 0.7 criterion by (Hair Jr et al., 2017 ). Furthermore, Cronbach's Alpha values ranged from 0.897 to 0.932, above the suggested 0.7 threshold by (Gliem & Gliem, 2003 ). The average variance extracted (AVE) values ranged between 0.632 and 0.768, above the suggested value of 0.5, indicating that all factor loadings were significant/important and exceeded 0.5, as suggested by (Hair Jr et al., 2017 ). The CFA findings for the measurement model are shown in Table 2 .

4.3 Discriminant validity of the measures

The 'discriminant validity' component assesses how different every perception, together with its indications, is from other perceptions, as well as their signals (Bagozzi et al., 1991 ). If the AVE result is greater than 0.5 and significant at p = 0.001, discriminant validity is maintained for all constructs (Fornell & Larcker, 1981 ). The associations among items pertaining to any two concepts must be lower than the base square values of mean variance dispersed by the construct items, pursuant to (Hair Jr et al., 2017 ). See Table 3 for further information.

4.4 Structural model analysis

The following phase involved examining hypothesized correlations among selected constructs once the goodness-of-fit of the measurement model had been established. SmartPLS 3.0 was used to confirm the predicted model using the PLS approach. The route coefficients were then determined, as shown in Fig. 3 and Table 4 .

Research Model with Results

The results supported all eleven hypotheses. Specifically, the results indicated that activity with peers and group members was significantly and positively linked with engagement (β = 0.247, t = 2.340, p < 0.001). Hence, the first hypothesis was supported. The results showed that interactivity with lecturers and mentors was positively and significantly associated with engagement (β = 0.382, t = 4.429, p < 0.001). Hence, the second hypothesis was supported. Similarly, hypothesis 3 was also supported, as the results indicated that perceived ease of use was absolutely related to an intent to utilize social media (β = 0.493, t = 4.602, p less than 0.001). With regard to hypothesis 4, the results showed that perceived usefulness positively and significantly related to actual use of social media (β = 0.377, t = 2.771, p < 0.001), indicating consistent results with the proposed hypothesis. The fifth hypothesis proposed a significant connection between perceived ‘ease of utilize’ and ‘usefulness’, and the result was consistent with (β = 0.712, t = 13.420, p < 0.001). The next result displayed an intent to utilize social media significantly or positively interrelated through engagement (β = 0.512, t = 4.503, p value less than 0.001); therefore, the sixth hypothesis was also supported. For the seventh hypothesis, the data obtained, such as actual use of social media significantly or positively interrelated with learners’ and researchers’ gratification (β = 0.448, t = 4.994, p value less than 0.001), indicated a consistent outcome with hypothesis. In this regard, students need to be encouraged to be more interactive and engaging through social media. Additionally, the results/data showed that the actual use of social media was significantly and positively associated with students' learning (β = 0.465, t = 5.211, p value less than 0.001); thus, the eighth hypothesis was supported. The next result showed that engagement was significantly and positively related to students’ satisfaction (β = 0.291, t = 2.496, p < 0.001); thus, hypothesis nine was supported. The tenth hypothesis proposed that engagement had a significant and positive connection with students' learning, and the obtained results supported the hypothesis with (β = 0.438, t = 5.218, p value less than 0.001). Finally, the eleventh hypothesis proposed that students’ satisfaction significantly and positively linked with their educational or students' learning and based on the result, such a hypothesis was supported (here, β = 0.480, t = 5.611, p value less than 0.001).

4.5 Analysis of factors

The findings demonstrate that the majority of students agree or agree wholeheartedly that social media interaction with peers is beneficial to learning. As a result, this study defines interactivity with peers as a student's belief that interacting with peers through social media would enrich his or her learning. These findings are in line with those of (Liu et al., 2011 ) (Top, 2012 ), who argued that peer interaction was beneficial for educational purposes. Table 5 shows the results.

Furthermore, the findings reveal that the majority of students agree or strongly agree that interacting with professors on social media was beneficial to their learning. As a result, this report examines interactive elements with lecturers as a student's belief that conversing with lecturers through social media would enrich his as well as her teaching. These findings support the findings of (Abrahim et al., 2019 ), who claimed that lecturers' interactivity was beneficial for educational purposes. Table 6 shows the results.

Similarly, the findings suggest that the majority of participants agreed or strongly agree that using social media for learning was beneficial. As a result, this study defines interaction as the extent to which a student believes that engaging in social media will enrich his or her learning.These results are consistent with (Al-Rahmi et al., 2020 ), who argued that students’ engagement through social media was useful for educational purposes. See Table 7 .

The findings demonstrate that the majority of individuals agreed or strongly agreed that using social media makes learning more engaging. As a result, ease of use is described in this study as a student's belief that perceived ease of use will boost his or her learning. These findings back up those of (Al-rahmi et al., 2015f ), who found that perceived ease of use was linked to ease of usage of social media for academic purposes. The findings are shown in Table 8 .

Likewise, the results indicated that the majority of students agree or strongly agree that social media is good to learning. As a result, in this study, usefulness is defined as the degree to which a student believes perceived usefulness would improve his or her learning.These findings are in line with those of (Davis, 1989 ) and (Nysveen et al., 2005 ), who suggested that perceived utility was important for educational usage of social media. Table 9 shows the results.

Similarly, the results show that the majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that utilizing social media to learn was useful. As a result, the degree to which a student believes that practical usage of social media would improve his or her education is defined in this study. These findings support those of (Venkatesh et al., 2002 ) (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1977 ), who claimed that using social media for educational purposes was advantageous. The findings are shown in Table 10 .

The findings demonstrate that majority of the students agree or agree wholeheartedly that utilizing social media for studying improved their satisfaction. As a result, the degree with which a student feels that using social media would improve his or her learning is defined in this study. These findings support the findings of (Tur et al., 2017 ), who claimed that using social media for educational purposes was simple and effective. Table 11 shows the results.

Finally, the findings demonstrate that the majority of the students agree or agree wholeheartedly that utilizing social media for studying was beneficial to their learning. As a result, the extent with which a student feels that using social media will improve his or her learning is defined in this study. These findings support the findings of (Ding & Cao, 2017 ), which claimed that students' usage of social media for educational reasons was beneficial. Table 12 shows the results.

5 Discussion and implications

We created a model by investigating the correlations among independent factors and engagement, satisfaction, and social media use in this study. This model demonstrated the favorable relationship between involvement with peers and lecturers and engagement. It also indicated a favorable association between reported ease of use and perceived utility of social media, as well as satisfaction.The model also provides actual connections between our theories about student learning. As a result, we attained the study's goal. Furthermore, the model we created incorporated an expectancy theory and a realist view of social media use. A model like this could be used to delve deeper into the acquiescence and implementation of new social media usage. Furthermore, the TAM's creators (Davis et al., 1992 ) claimed that technology adoption necessitates seeing from both active and perceptual perspectives (Vygotsky et al., 1978 ). (Davis, 1989 ). As a result, the created model takes into account both interaction and perceptual aspects of social media use.The data showed that 11 hypotheses positively and significantly supported interactivity, engagement and usefulness with regard to peers, which in turn enhanced students' learning and their satisfaction. Therefore, we advise universities and colleges to encourage lecturers to facilitate interactions with their students through social media—instructors can conduct successful learning activities using a social media network, which facilitates interactivity among students and lecturers for educational purposes. In addition, students perceived ease to utilize, in addition to perceived usefulness, as affecting their purpose to utilize social media for engagement. Furthermore, the study also recommends that social media become an essential phenomenon in students' or learners’ learning atmosphere (Al-rahmi et al., 2015c ). (Pozzi et al., 2016 ), the results confirm that those students who performed peer review were more inactive in groups, because those students gave much effort to work on organizational subjects, including discourse simplification. Moreover, if pupils have a good mindset and utilize social media for academic reasons (i.e., have high levels of involvement and perceived usefulness), their happiness and learning will improve. As a result, students' use of social media for cooperation will help them learn more effectively.These results contradict the findings of some previous studies that have found that social media usage results in lower levels of students' learning (Al-rahmi et al., 2015g ). Through these results, we believe that they vary according to factors such as environment, culture, time and place of study. However, consistent with (Al-Rahmi et al., 2015a ) (Janssen et al., 2010 ), both learners and students use social media to increase collaboration as well as to enhance students’ learning. A network-based social media network is preferred since online tools of this kind have been recognized to possess noteworthy benefits to students’ learning along with developing their skills via social interactions and perceptive engagement (Lockyer & Patterson, 2008 ). The findings are explored in terms of the approach to uses and gratifications, as well as the uniqueness of various social media and social networking sites (SNSs). In terms of intensity of use, daily time spent on the network, and use motivations, study examines the variations between Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (Alhabash & Ma, 2017 ). Academics, on the other hand, looked to be lagging behind managers in terms of using Office 365 online services.In addition, social media use improved students’ levels of engagement, which increased their respective academic outputs. Additionally, this finding is applicable for interactivity between the learners and their instructors, as social media facilitates the transfer of clarified instruction and information. Blog, forum, social network sites, bookmarking sites websites, video portals, and chat portals are examples of social media services that let users cooperate efficiently (Anandhan et al., 2018 ).Additionally, integrating the technology acceptance model with innovation diffusion theory is directly associated with students’ actual use of social media and E-Learning websites (Al-Rahmi, et al., 2015d ). Furthermore, in computer science education, online collaborative learning technologies primarily focus on delivering learning resources and creating an interactive simulation environment for learning (Al-Rahmi et al., 2020 ).Additionally, online engagement is shown to have advanced effectiveness compared to face-to-face learning, as demonstrated by the development of research skills and the exchange of ideas among students in online communities. Social media and massive open online courses (MOOCs) are also used by students to obtain essential instructions, including directions from their instructors/peers. Furthermore, using social media creates an atmosphere that is marked by engagement, which can help the students work in clusters to complete tasks and to efficiently finish assignments, therefore enhancing their learning (Al-Rahmi, et al., 2015b ) (Bermudez et al., 2016 ). Using accessible social media may also help instructors and students clear up their concerns, learn about current events, and provide global connectedness and competition (Al-rahmi et al., 2015g ).

6 Conclusion and future work

Our questionnaire's key contribution was the development of a model and the measurement of students' education through social media activity. We proposed nine parameters to evaluate and analyze media platforms use among students in order to enhance their understanding via involvement in this investigation. Furthermore, students had higher trust in collaborating with group members to accomplish their learning assignments while using the social media network, resulting in increased involvement, participation, reason for using social media, usefulness, and accessibility of the use. Students can share data and understanding with classmates and instructors via media platforms. As a result, future research should expand on this finding. We believe that this study, as well as the consequences it entails, will serve as a first approach for creating successful student participation in higher education. Furthermore, according to the result of this research, social media platforms are accessible tools that may be used by all learners. As an outcome, we urge that future studies extends these methodologies and makes them adaptable to an universal educational environment so that they may be duplicated in a variety of contexts throughout the world. In conclusion, the following are the consequences of this study:

Academic staff should promote students' use of media platforms in their educational approaches, and managers can encourage students to utilize social media to solve issues, exchange knowledge, and give input to better their educational experiences, productivity, and investigative abilities.

It is recommended that institutions of higher education embrace learners who are acquainted with utilizing social media for studying rather than pushing those who are not to do so. This is due to the fact that educational institutions must include social media technologies into the learning experience.

Both technologies and materials are important to students' views on social media use and overall intents to utilize it. Learners could take advantage of the opportunities to utilize social media to enhance their education.

The findings of this research have been related to student perspectives, which may differ from instructor perspectives, and distinctions in research areas were not taken into account. Future research can duplicate this research in other countries and cultures to address its shortcomings and broaden its conclusions.

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Alalwan, N. Actual use of social media for engagement to enhance students' learning. Educ Inf Technol 27 , 9767–9789 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11014-7

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The effect of social media on the development of students’ affective variables

1 Science and Technology Department, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, China

2 School of Marxism, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

3 Government Enterprise Customer Center, China Mobile Group Jiangsu Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China

The use of social media is incomparably on the rise among students, influenced by the globalized forms of communication and the post-pandemic rush to use multiple social media platforms for education in different fields of study. Though social media has created tremendous chances for sharing ideas and emotions, the kind of social support it provides might fail to meet students’ emotional needs, or the alleged positive effects might be short-lasting. In recent years, several studies have been conducted to explore the potential effects of social media on students’ affective traits, such as stress, anxiety, depression, and so on. The present paper reviews the findings of the exemplary published works of research to shed light on the positive and negative potential effects of the massive use of social media on students’ emotional well-being. This review can be insightful for teachers who tend to take the potential psychological effects of social media for granted. They may want to know more about the actual effects of the over-reliance on and the excessive (and actually obsessive) use of social media on students’ developing certain images of self and certain emotions which are not necessarily positive. There will be implications for pre- and in-service teacher training and professional development programs and all those involved in student affairs.

Introduction

Social media has turned into an essential element of individuals’ lives including students in today’s world of communication. Its use is growing significantly more than ever before especially in the post-pandemic era, marked by a great revolution happening to the educational systems. Recent investigations of using social media show that approximately 3 billion individuals worldwide are now communicating via social media ( Iwamoto and Chun, 2020 ). This growing population of social media users is spending more and more time on social network groupings, as facts and figures show that individuals spend 2 h a day, on average, on a variety of social media applications, exchanging pictures and messages, updating status, tweeting, favoring, and commenting on many updated socially shared information ( Abbott, 2017 ).

Researchers have begun to investigate the psychological effects of using social media on students’ lives. Chukwuere and Chukwuere (2017) maintained that social media platforms can be considered the most important source of changing individuals’ mood, because when someone is passively using a social media platform seemingly with no special purpose, s/he can finally feel that his/her mood has changed as a function of the nature of content overviewed. Therefore, positive and negative moods can easily be transferred among the population using social media networks ( Chukwuere and Chukwuere, 2017 ). This may become increasingly important as students are seen to be using social media platforms more than before and social networking is becoming an integral aspect of their lives. As described by Iwamoto and Chun (2020) , when students are affected by social media posts, especially due to the increasing reliance on social media use in life, they may be encouraged to begin comparing themselves to others or develop great unrealistic expectations of themselves or others, which can have several affective consequences.

Considering the increasing influence of social media on education, the present paper aims to focus on the affective variables such as depression, stress, and anxiety, and how social media can possibly increase or decrease these emotions in student life. The exemplary works of research on this topic in recent years will be reviewed here, hoping to shed light on the positive and negative effects of these ever-growing influential platforms on the psychology of students.

Significance of the study

Though social media, as the name suggests, is expected to keep people connected, probably this social connection is only superficial, and not adequately deep and meaningful to help individuals feel emotionally attached to others. The psychological effects of social media on student life need to be studied in more depth to see whether social media really acts as a social support for students and whether students can use social media to cope with negative emotions and develop positive feelings or not. In other words, knowledge of the potential effects of the growing use of social media on students’ emotional well-being can bridge the gap between the alleged promises of social media and what it actually has to offer to students in terms of self-concept, self-respect, social role, and coping strategies (for stress, anxiety, etc.).

Exemplary general literature on psychological effects of social media

Before getting down to the effects of social media on students’ emotional well-being, some exemplary works of research in recent years on the topic among general populations are reviewed. For one, Aalbers et al. (2018) reported that individuals who spent more time passively working with social media suffered from more intense levels of hopelessness, loneliness, depression, and perceived inferiority. For another, Tang et al. (2013) observed that the procedures of sharing information, commenting, showing likes and dislikes, posting messages, and doing other common activities on social media are correlated with higher stress. Similarly, Ley et al. (2014) described that people who spend 2 h, on average, on social media applications will face many tragic news, posts, and stories which can raise the total intensity of their stress. This stress-provoking effect of social media has been also pinpointed by Weng and Menczer (2015) , who contended that social media becomes a main source of stress because people often share all kinds of posts, comments, and stories ranging from politics and economics, to personal and social affairs. According to Iwamoto and Chun (2020) , anxiety and depression are the negative emotions that an individual may develop when some source of stress is present. In other words, when social media sources become stress-inducing, there are high chances that anxiety and depression also develop.

Charoensukmongkol (2018) reckoned that the mental health and well-being of the global population can be at a great risk through the uncontrolled massive use of social media. These researchers also showed that social media sources can exert negative affective impacts on teenagers, as they can induce more envy and social comparison. According to Fleck and Johnson-Migalski (2015) , though social media, at first, plays the role of a stress-coping strategy, when individuals continue to see stressful conditions (probably experienced and shared by others in media), they begin to develop stress through the passage of time. Chukwuere and Chukwuere (2017) maintained that social media platforms continue to be the major source of changing mood among general populations. For example, someone might be passively using a social media sphere, and s/he may finally find him/herself with a changed mood depending on the nature of the content faced. Then, this good or bad mood is easily shared with others in a flash through the social media. Finally, as Alahmar (2016) described, social media exposes people especially the young generation to new exciting activities and events that may attract them and keep them engaged in different media contexts for hours just passing their time. It usually leads to reduced productivity, reduced academic achievement, and addiction to constant media use ( Alahmar, 2016 ).

The number of studies on the potential psychological effects of social media on people in general is higher than those selectively addressed here. For further insights into this issue, some other suggested works of research include Chang (2012) , Sriwilai and Charoensukmongkol (2016) , and Zareen et al. (2016) . Now, we move to the studies that more specifically explored the effects of social media on students’ affective states.

Review of the affective influences of social media on students

Vygotsky’s mediational theory (see Fernyhough, 2008 ) can be regarded as a main theoretical background for the support of social media on learners’ affective states. Based on this theory, social media can play the role of a mediational means between learners and the real environment. Learners’ understanding of this environment can be mediated by the image shaped via social media. This image can be either close to or different from the reality. In the case of the former, learners can develop their self-image and self-esteem. In the case of the latter, learners might develop unrealistic expectations of themselves by comparing themselves to others. As it will be reviewed below among the affective variables increased or decreased in students under the influence of the massive use of social media are anxiety, stress, depression, distress, rumination, and self-esteem. These effects have been explored more among school students in the age range of 13–18 than university students (above 18), but some studies were investigated among college students as well. Exemplary works of research on these affective variables are reviewed here.

In a cross-sectional study, O’Dea and Campbell (2011) explored the impact of online interactions of social networks on the psychological distress of adolescent students. These researchers found a negative correlation between the time spent on social networking and mental distress. Dumitrache et al. (2012) explored the relations between depression and the identity associated with the use of the popular social media, the Facebook. This study showed significant associations between depression and the number of identity-related information pieces shared on this social network. Neira and Barber (2014) explored the relationship between students’ social media use and depressed mood at teenage. No significant correlation was found between these two variables. In the same year, Tsitsika et al. (2014) explored the associations between excessive use of social media and internalizing emotions. These researchers found a positive correlation between more than 2-h a day use of social media and anxiety and depression.

Hanprathet et al. (2015) reported a statistically significant positive correlation between addiction to Facebook and depression among about a thousand high school students in wealthy populations of Thailand and warned against this psychological threat. Sampasa-Kanyinga and Lewis (2015) examined the relationship between social media use and psychological distress. These researchers found that the use of social media for more than 2 h a day was correlated with a higher intensity of psychological distress. Banjanin et al. (2015) tested the relationship between too much use of social networking and depression, yet found no statistically significant correlation between these two variables. Frison and Eggermont (2016) examined the relationships between different forms of Facebook use, perceived social support of social media, and male and female students’ depressed mood. These researchers found a positive association between the passive use of the Facebook and depression and also between the active use of the social media and depression. Furthermore, the perceived social support of the social media was found to mediate this association. Besides, gender was found as the other factor to mediate this relationship.

Vernon et al. (2017) explored change in negative investment in social networking in relation to change in depression and externalizing behavior. These researchers found that increased investment in social media predicted higher depression in adolescent students, which was a function of the effect of higher levels of disrupted sleep. Barry et al. (2017) explored the associations between the use of social media by adolescents and their psychosocial adjustment. Social media activity showed to be positively and moderately associated with depression and anxiety. Another investigation was focused on secondary school students in China conducted by Li et al. (2017) . The findings showed a mediating role of insomnia on the significant correlation between depression and addiction to social media. In the same year, Yan et al. (2017) aimed to explore the time spent on social networks and its correlation with anxiety among middle school students. They found a significant positive correlation between more than 2-h use of social networks and the intensity of anxiety.

Also in China, Wang et al. (2018) showed that addiction to social networking sites was correlated positively with depression, and this correlation was mediated by rumination. These researchers also found that this mediating effect was moderated by self-esteem. It means that the effect of addiction on depression was compounded by low self-esteem through rumination. In another work of research, Drouin et al. (2018) showed that though social media is expected to act as a form of social support for the majority of university students, it can adversely affect students’ mental well-being, especially for those who already have high levels of anxiety and depression. In their research, the social media resources were found to be stress-inducing for half of the participants, all university students. The higher education population was also studied by Iwamoto and Chun (2020) . These researchers investigated the emotional effects of social media in higher education and found that the socially supportive role of social media was overshadowed in the long run in university students’ lives and, instead, fed into their perceived depression, anxiety, and stress.

Keles et al. (2020) provided a systematic review of the effect of social media on young and teenage students’ depression, psychological distress, and anxiety. They found that depression acted as the most frequent affective variable measured. The most salient risk factors of psychological distress, anxiety, and depression based on the systematic review were activities such as repeated checking for messages, personal investment, the time spent on social media, and problematic or addictive use. Similarly, Mathewson (2020) investigated the effect of using social media on college students’ mental health. The participants stated the experience of anxiety, depression, and suicidality (thoughts of suicide or attempts to suicide). The findings showed that the types and frequency of using social media and the students’ perceived mental health were significantly correlated with each other.

The body of research on the effect of social media on students’ affective and emotional states has led to mixed results. The existing literature shows that there are some positive and some negative affective impacts. Yet, it seems that the latter is pre-dominant. Mathewson (2020) attributed these divergent positive and negative effects to the different theoretical frameworks adopted in different studies and also the different contexts (different countries with whole different educational systems). According to Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions ( Fredrickson, 2001 ), the mental repertoires of learners can be built and broadened by how they feel. For instance, some external stimuli might provoke negative emotions such as anxiety and depression in learners. Having experienced these negative emotions, students might repeatedly check their messages on social media or get addicted to them. As a result, their cognitive repertoire and mental capacity might become limited and they might lose their concentration during their learning process. On the other hand, it should be noted that by feeling positive, learners might take full advantage of the affordances of the social media and; thus, be able to follow their learning goals strategically. This point should be highlighted that the link between the use of social media and affective states is bi-directional. Therefore, strategic use of social media or its addictive use by students can direct them toward either positive experiences like enjoyment or negative ones such as anxiety and depression. Also, these mixed positive and negative effects are similar to the findings of several other relevant studies on general populations’ psychological and emotional health. A number of studies (with general research populations not necessarily students) showed that social networks have facilitated the way of staying in touch with family and friends living far away as well as an increased social support ( Zhang, 2017 ). Given the positive and negative emotional effects of social media, social media can either scaffold the emotional repertoire of students, which can develop positive emotions in learners, or induce negative provokers in them, based on which learners might feel negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. However, admittedly, social media has also generated a domain that encourages the act of comparing lives, and striving for approval; therefore, it establishes and internalizes unrealistic perceptions ( Virden et al., 2014 ; Radovic et al., 2017 ).

It should be mentioned that the susceptibility of affective variables to social media should be interpreted from a dynamic lens. This means that the ecology of the social media can make changes in the emotional experiences of learners. More specifically, students’ affective variables might self-organize into different states under the influence of social media. As for the positive correlation found in many studies between the use of social media and such negative effects as anxiety, depression, and stress, it can be hypothesized that this correlation is induced by the continuous comparison the individual makes and the perception that others are doing better than him/her influenced by the posts that appear on social media. Using social media can play a major role in university students’ psychological well-being than expected. Though most of these studies were correlational, and correlation is not the same as causation, as the studies show that the number of participants experiencing these negative emotions under the influence of social media is significantly high, more extensive research is highly suggested to explore causal effects ( Mathewson, 2020 ).

As the review of exemplary studies showed, some believed that social media increased comparisons that students made between themselves and others. This finding ratifies the relevance of the Interpretation Comparison Model ( Stapel and Koomen, 2000 ; Stapel, 2007 ) and Festinger’s (1954) Social Comparison Theory. Concerning the negative effects of social media on students’ psychology, it can be argued that individuals may fail to understand that the content presented in social media is usually changed to only represent the attractive aspects of people’s lives, showing an unrealistic image of things. We can add that this argument also supports the relevance of the Social Comparison Theory and the Interpretation Comparison Model ( Stapel and Koomen, 2000 ; Stapel, 2007 ), because social media sets standards that students think they should compare themselves with. A constant observation of how other students or peers are showing their instances of achievement leads to higher self-evaluation ( Stapel and Koomen, 2000 ). It is conjectured that the ubiquitous role of social media in student life establishes unrealistic expectations and promotes continuous comparison as also pinpointed in the Interpretation Comparison Model ( Stapel and Koomen, 2000 ; Stapel, 2007 ).

Implications of the study

The use of social media is ever increasing among students, both at school and university, which is partly because of the promises of technological advances in communication services and partly because of the increased use of social networks for educational purposes in recent years after the pandemic. This consistent use of social media is not expected to leave students’ psychological, affective and emotional states untouched. Thus, it is necessary to know how the growing usage of social networks is associated with students’ affective health on different aspects. Therefore, we found it useful to summarize the research findings in recent years in this respect. If those somehow in charge of student affairs in educational settings are aware of the potential positive or negative effects of social media usage on students, they can better understand the complexities of students’ needs and are better capable of meeting them.

Psychological counseling programs can be initiated at schools or universities to check upon the latest state of students’ mental and emotional health influenced by the pervasive use of social media. The counselors can be made aware of the potential adverse effects of social networking and can adapt the content of their inquiries accordingly. Knowledge of the potential reasons for student anxiety, depression, and stress can help school or university counselors to find individualized coping strategies when they diagnose any symptom of distress in students influenced by an excessive use of social networking.

Admittedly, it is neither possible to discard the use of social media in today’s academic life, nor to keep students’ use of social networks fully controlled. Certainly, the educational space in today’s world cannot do without the social media, which has turned into an integral part of everybody’s life. Yet, probably students need to be instructed on how to take advantage of the media and to be the least affected negatively by its occasional superficial and unrepresentative content. Compensatory programs might be needed at schools or universities to encourage students to avoid making unrealistic and impartial comparisons of themselves and the flamboyant images of others displayed on social media. Students can be taught to develop self-appreciation and self-care while continuing to use the media to their benefit.

The teachers’ role as well as the curriculum developers’ role are becoming more important than ever, as they can significantly help to moderate the adverse effects of the pervasive social media use on students’ mental and emotional health. The kind of groupings formed for instructional purposes, for example, in social media can be done with greater care by teachers to make sure that the members of the groups are homogeneous and the tasks and activities shared in the groups are quite relevant and realistic. The teachers cannot always be in a full control of students’ use of social media, and the other fact is that students do not always and only use social media for educational purposes. They spend more time on social media for communicating with friends or strangers or possibly they just passively receive the content produced out of any educational scope just for entertainment. This uncontrolled and unrealistic content may give them a false image of life events and can threaten their mental and emotional health. Thus, teachers can try to make students aware of the potential hazards of investing too much of their time on following pages or people that publish false and misleading information about their personal or social identities. As students, logically expected, spend more time with their teachers than counselors, they may be better and more receptive to the advice given by the former than the latter.

Teachers may not be in full control of their students’ use of social media, but they have always played an active role in motivating or demotivating students to take particular measures in their academic lives. If teachers are informed of the recent research findings about the potential effects of massively using social media on students, they may find ways to reduce students’ distraction or confusion in class due to the excessive or over-reliant use of these networks. Educators may more often be mesmerized by the promises of technology-, computer- and mobile-assisted learning. They may tend to encourage the use of social media hoping to benefit students’ social and interpersonal skills, self-confidence, stress-managing and the like. Yet, they may be unaware of the potential adverse effects on students’ emotional well-being and, thus, may find the review of the recent relevant research findings insightful. Also, teachers can mediate between learners and social media to manipulate the time learners spend on social media. Research has mainly indicated that students’ emotional experiences are mainly dependent on teachers’ pedagogical approach. They should refrain learners from excessive use of, or overreliance on, social media. Raising learners’ awareness of this fact that individuals should develop their own path of development for learning, and not build their development based on unrealistic comparison of their competences with those of others, can help them consider positive values for their activities on social media and, thus, experience positive emotions.

At higher education, students’ needs are more life-like. For example, their employment-seeking spirits might lead them to create accounts in many social networks, hoping for a better future. However, membership in many of these networks may end in the mere waste of the time that could otherwise be spent on actual on-campus cooperative projects. Universities can provide more on-campus resources both for research and work experience purposes from which the students can benefit more than the cyberspace that can be tricky on many occasions. Two main theories underlying some negative emotions like boredom and anxiety are over-stimulation and under-stimulation. Thus, what learners feel out of their involvement in social media might be directed toward negative emotions due to the stimulating environment of social media. This stimulating environment makes learners rely too much, and spend too much time, on social media or use them obsessively. As a result, they might feel anxious or depressed. Given the ubiquity of social media, these negative emotions can be replaced with positive emotions if learners become aware of the psychological effects of social media. Regarding the affordances of social media for learners, they can take advantage of the potential affordances of these media such as improving their literacy, broadening their communication skills, or enhancing their distance learning opportunities.

A review of the research findings on the relationship between social media and students’ affective traits revealed both positive and negative findings. Yet, the instances of the latter were more salient and the negative psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and stress have been far from negligible. These findings were discussed in relation to some more relevant theories such as the social comparison theory, which predicted that most of the potential issues with the young generation’s excessive use of social media were induced by the unfair comparisons they made between their own lives and the unrealistic portrayal of others’ on social media. Teachers, education policymakers, curriculum developers, and all those in charge of the student affairs at schools and universities should be made aware of the psychological effects of the pervasive use of social media on students, and the potential threats.

It should be reminded that the alleged socially supportive and communicative promises of the prevalent use of social networking in student life might not be fully realized in practice. Students may lose self-appreciation and gratitude when they compare their current state of life with the snapshots of others’ or peers’. A depressed or stressed-out mood can follow. Students at schools or universities need to learn self-worth to resist the adverse effects of the superficial support they receive from social media. Along this way, they should be assisted by the family and those in charge at schools or universities, most importantly the teachers. As already suggested, counseling programs might help with raising students’ awareness of the potential psychological threats of social media to their health. Considering the ubiquity of social media in everybody’ life including student life worldwide, it seems that more coping and compensatory strategies should be contrived to moderate the adverse psychological effects of the pervasive use of social media on students. Also, the affective influences of social media should not be generalized but they need to be interpreted from an ecological or contextual perspective. This means that learners might have different emotions at different times or different contexts while being involved in social media. More specifically, given the stative approach to learners’ emotions, what learners emotionally experience in their application of social media can be bound to their intra-personal and interpersonal experiences. This means that the same learner at different time points might go through different emotions Also, learners’ emotional states as a result of their engagement in social media cannot be necessarily generalized to all learners in a class.

As the majority of studies on the psychological effects of social media on student life have been conducted on school students than in higher education, it seems it is too soon to make any conclusive remark on this population exclusively. Probably, in future, further studies of the psychological complexities of students at higher education and a better knowledge of their needs can pave the way for making more insightful conclusions about the effects of social media on their affective states.

Suggestions for further research

The majority of studies on the potential effects of social media usage on students’ psychological well-being are either quantitative or qualitative in type, each with many limitations. Presumably, mixed approaches in near future can better provide a comprehensive assessment of these potential associations. Moreover, most studies on this topic have been cross-sectional in type. There is a significant dearth of longitudinal investigation on the effect of social media on developing positive or negative emotions in students. This seems to be essential as different affective factors such as anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and the like have a developmental nature. Traditional research methods with single-shot designs for data collection fail to capture the nuances of changes in these affective variables. It can be expected that more longitudinal studies in future can show how the continuous use of social media can affect the fluctuations of any of these affective variables during the different academic courses students pass at school or university.

As already raised in some works of research reviewed, the different patterns of impacts of social media on student life depend largely on the educational context. Thus, the same research designs with the same academic grade students and even the same age groups can lead to different findings concerning the effects of social media on student psychology in different countries. In other words, the potential positive and negative effects of popular social media like Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, etc., on students’ affective conditions can differ across different educational settings in different host countries. Thus, significantly more research is needed in different contexts and cultures to compare the results.

There is also a need for further research on the higher education students and how their affective conditions are positively and negatively affected by the prevalent use of social media. University students’ psychological needs might be different from other academic grades and, thus, the patterns of changes that the overall use of social networking can create in their emotions can be also different. Their main reasons for using social media might be different from school students as well, which need to be investigated more thoroughly. The sorts of interventions needed to moderate the potential negative effects of social networking on them can be different too, all requiring a new line of research in education domain.

Finally, there are hopes that considering the ever-increasing popularity of social networking in education, the potential psychological effects of social media on teachers be explored as well. Though teacher psychology has only recently been considered for research, the literature has provided profound insights into teachers developing stress, motivation, self-esteem, and many other emotions. In today’s world driven by global communications in the cyberspace, teachers like everyone else are affecting and being affected by social networking. The comparison theory can hold true for teachers too. Thus, similar threats (of social media) to self-esteem and self-worth can be there for teachers too besides students, which are worth investigating qualitatively and quantitatively.

Probably a new line of research can be initiated to explore the co-development of teacher and learner psychological traits under the influence of social media use in longitudinal studies. These will certainly entail sophisticated research methods to be capable of unraveling the nuances of variation in these traits and their mutual effects, for example, stress, motivation, and self-esteem. If these are incorporated within mixed-approach works of research, more comprehensive and better insightful findings can be expected to emerge. Correlational studies need to be followed by causal studies in educational settings. As many conditions of the educational settings do not allow for having control groups or randomization, probably, experimental studies do not help with this. Innovative research methods, case studies or else, can be used to further explore the causal relations among the different features of social media use and the development of different affective variables in teachers or learners. Examples of such innovative research methods can be process tracing, qualitative comparative analysis, and longitudinal latent factor modeling (for a more comprehensive view, see Hiver and Al-Hoorie, 2019 ).

Author contributions

Both authors listed have made a substantial, direct, and intellectual contribution to the work, and approved it for publication.

This study was sponsored by Wuxi Philosophy and Social Sciences bidding project—“Special Project for Safeguarding the Rights and Interests of Workers in the New Form of Employment” (Grant No. WXSK22-GH-13). This study was sponsored by the Key Project of Party Building and Ideological and Political Education Research of Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications—“Research on the Guidance and Countermeasures of Network Public Opinion in Colleges and Universities in the Modern Times” (Grant No. XC 2021002).

Conflict of interest

Author XX was employed by China Mobile Group Jiangsu Co., Ltd. The remaining author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

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Teens and social media: Key findings from Pew Research Center surveys

Laughing twin sisters looking at smartphone in park on summer evening

For the latest survey data on social media and tech use among teens, see “ Teens, Social Media, and Technology 2023 .”

Today’s teens are navigating a digital landscape unlike the one experienced by their predecessors, particularly when it comes to the pervasive presence of social media. In 2022, Pew Research Center fielded an in-depth survey asking American teens – and their parents – about their experiences with and views toward social media . Here are key findings from the survey:

Pew Research Center conducted this study to better understand American teens’ experiences with social media and their parents’ perception of these experiences. For this analysis, we surveyed 1,316 U.S. teens ages 13 to 17, along with one parent from each teen’s household. The survey was conducted online by Ipsos from April 14 to May 4, 2022.

This research was reviewed and approved by an external institutional review board (IRB), Advarra, which is an independent committee of experts that specializes in helping to protect the rights of research participants.

Ipsos invited panelists who were a parent of at least one teen ages 13 to 17 from its KnowledgePanel , a probability-based web panel recruited primarily through national, random sampling of residential addresses, to take this survey. For some of these questions, parents were asked to think about one teen in their household. (If they had multiple teenage children ages 13 to 17 in the household, one was randomly chosen.) This teen was then asked to answer questions as well. The parent portion of the survey is weighted to be representative of U.S. parents of teens ages 13 to 17 by age, gender, race, ethnicity, household income and other categories. The teen portion of the survey is weighted to be representative of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 who live with parents by age, gender, race, ethnicity, household income and other categories.

Here are the questions used for this report, along with responses, and its methodology .

Majorities of teens report ever using YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. YouTube is the platform most commonly used by teens, with 95% of those ages 13 to 17 saying they have ever used it, according to a Center survey conducted April 14-May 4, 2022, that asked about 10 online platforms. Two-thirds of teens report using TikTok, followed by roughly six-in-ten who say they use Instagram (62%) and Snapchat (59%). Much smaller shares of teens say they have ever used Twitter (23%), Twitch (20%), WhatsApp (17%), Reddit (14%) and Tumblr (5%).

A chart showing that since 2014-15 TikTok has started to rise, Facebook usage has dropped, Instagram and Snapchat have grown.

Facebook use among teens dropped from 71% in 2014-15 to 32% in 2022. Twitter and Tumblr also experienced declines in teen users during that span, but Instagram and Snapchat saw notable increases.

TikTok use is more common among Black teens and among teen girls. For example, roughly eight-in-ten Black teens (81%) say they use TikTok, compared with 71% of Hispanic teens and 62% of White teens. And Hispanic teens (29%) are more likely than Black (19%) or White teens (10%) to report using WhatsApp. (There were not enough Asian teens in the sample to analyze separately.)

Teens’ use of certain social media platforms also varies by gender. Teen girls are more likely than teen boys to report using TikTok (73% vs. 60%), Instagram (69% vs. 55%) and Snapchat (64% vs. 54%). Boys are more likely than girls to report using YouTube (97% vs. 92%), Twitch (26% vs. 13%) and Reddit (20% vs. 8%).

A chart showing that teen girls are more likely than boys to use TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. Teen boys are more likely to use Twitch, Reddit and YouTube. Black teens are especially drawn to TikTok compared with other groups.

Majorities of teens use YouTube and TikTok every day, and some report using these sites almost constantly. About three-quarters of teens (77%) say they use YouTube daily, while a smaller majority of teens (58%) say the same about TikTok. About half of teens use Instagram (50%) or Snapchat (51%) at least once a day, while 19% report daily use of Facebook.

A chart that shows roughly one-in-five teens are almost constantly on YouTube, and 2% say the same for Facebook.

Some teens report using these platforms almost constantly. For example, 19% say they use YouTube almost constantly, while 16% and 15% say the same about TikTok and Snapchat, respectively.

More than half of teens say it would be difficult for them to give up social media. About a third of teens (36%) say they spend too much time on social media, while 55% say they spend about the right amount of time there and just 8% say they spend too little time. Girls are more likely than boys to say they spend too much time on social media (41% vs. 31%).

A chart that shows 54% of teens say it would be hard to give up social media.

Teens are relatively divided over whether it would be hard or easy for them to give up social media. Some 54% say it would be very or somewhat hard, while 46% say it would be very or somewhat easy.

Girls are more likely than boys to say it would be difficult for them to give up social media (58% vs. 49%). Older teens are also more likely than younger teens to say this: 58% of those ages 15 to 17 say it would be very or somewhat hard to give up social media, compared with 48% of those ages 13 to 14.

Teens are more likely to say social media has had a negative effect on others than on themselves. Some 32% say social media has had a mostly negative effect on people their age, while 9% say this about social media’s effect on themselves.

A chart showing that more teens say social media has had a negative effect on people their age than on them, personally.

Conversely, teens are more likely to say these platforms have had a mostly positive impact on their own life than on those of their peers. About a third of teens (32%) say social media has had a mostly positive effect on them personally, while roughly a quarter (24%) say it has been positive for other people their age.

Still, the largest shares of teens say social media has had neither a positive nor negative effect on themselves (59%) or on other teens (45%). These patterns are consistent across demographic groups.

Teens are more likely to report positive than negative experiences in their social media use. Majorities of teens report experiencing each of the four positive experiences asked about: feeling more connected to what is going on in their friends’ lives (80%), like they have a place where they can show their creative side (71%), like they have people who can support them through tough times (67%), and that they are more accepted (58%).

A chart that shows teen girls are more likely than teen boys to say social media makes them feel more supported but also overwhelmed by drama and excluded by their friends.

When it comes to negative experiences, 38% of teens say that what they see on social media makes them feel overwhelmed because of all the drama. Roughly three-in-ten say it makes them feel like their friends are leaving them out of things (31%) or feel pressure to post content that will get lots of comments or likes (29%). And 23% say that what they see on social media makes them feel worse about their own life.

There are several gender differences in the experiences teens report having while on social media. Teen girls are more likely than teen boys to say that what they see on social media makes them feel a lot like they have a place to express their creativity or like they have people who can support them. However, girls also report encountering some of the pressures at higher rates than boys. Some 45% of girls say they feel overwhelmed because of all the drama on social media, compared with 32% of boys. Girls are also more likely than boys to say social media has made them feel like their friends are leaving them out of things (37% vs. 24%) or feel worse about their own life (28% vs. 18%).

When it comes to abuse on social media platforms, many teens think criminal charges or permanent bans would help a lot. Half of teens think criminal charges or permanent bans for users who bully or harass others on social media would help a lot to reduce harassment and bullying on these platforms.

A chart showing that half of teens think banning users who bully or criminal charges against them would help a lot in reducing the cyberbullying teens may face on social media.

About four-in-ten teens say it would help a lot if social media companies proactively deleted abusive posts or required social media users to use their real names and pictures. Three-in-ten teens say it would help a lot if school districts monitored students’ social media activity for bullying or harassment.

Some teens – especially older girls – avoid posting certain things on social media because of fear of embarrassment or other reasons. Roughly four-in-ten teens say they often or sometimes decide not to post something on social media because they worry people might use it to embarrass them (40%) or because it does not align with how they like to represent themselves on these platforms (38%). A third of teens say they avoid posting certain things out of concern for offending others by what they say, while 27% say they avoid posting things because it could hurt their chances when applying for schools or jobs.

A chart that shows older teen girls are more likely than younger girls or boys to say they don't post things on social media because they're worried it could be used to embarrass them.

These concerns are more prevalent among older teen girls. For example, roughly half of girls ages 15 to 17 say they often or sometimes decide not to post something on social media because they worry people might use it to embarrass them (50%) or because it doesn’t fit with how they’d like to represent themselves on these sites (51%), compared with smaller shares among younger girls and among boys overall.

Many teens do not feel like they are in the driver’s seat when it comes to controlling what information social media companies collect about them. Six-in-ten teens say they think they have little (40%) or no control (20%) over the personal information that social media companies collect about them. Another 26% aren’t sure how much control they have. Just 14% of teens think they have a lot of control.

Two charts that show a majority of teens feel as if they have little to no control over their data being collected by social media companies, but only one-in-five are extremely or very concerned about the amount of information these sites have about them.

Despite many feeling a lack of control, teens are largely unconcerned about companies collecting their information. Only 8% are extremely concerned about the amount of personal information that social media companies might have and 13% are very concerned. Still, 44% of teens say they have little or no concern about how much these companies might know about them.

Only around one-in-five teens think their parents are highly worried about their use of social media. Some 22% of teens think their parents are extremely or very worried about them using social media. But a larger share of teens (41%) think their parents are either not at all (16%) or a little worried (25%) about them using social media. About a quarter of teens (27%) fall more in the middle, saying they think their parents are somewhat worried.

A chart showing that only a minority of teens say their parents are extremely or very worried about their social media use.

Many teens also believe there is a disconnect between parental perceptions of social media and teens’ lived realities. Some 39% of teens say their experiences on social media are better than parents think, and 27% say their experiences are worse. A third of teens say parents’ views are about right.

Nearly half of parents with teens (46%) are highly worried that their child could be exposed to explicit content on social media. Parents of teens are more likely to be extremely or very concerned about this than about social media causing mental health issues like anxiety, depression or lower self-esteem. Some parents also fret about time management problems for their teen stemming from social media use, such as wasting time on these sites (42%) and being distracted from completing homework (38%).

A chart that shows parents are more likely to be concerned about their teens seeing explicit content on social media than these sites leading to anxiety, depression or lower self-esteem.

Note: Here are the questions used for this report, along with responses, and its methodology .

CORRECTION (May 17, 2023): In a previous version of this post, the percentages of teens using Instagram and Snapchat daily were transposed in the text. The original chart was correct. This change does not substantively affect the analysis.

Age & Generations
Age, Generations & Tech
Internet & Technology
Platforms & Services
Social Media
Teens & Tech
Teens & Youth

Emily A. Vogels is a former research associate focusing on internet and technology at Pew Research Center .

Risa Gelles-Watnick is a former research analyst focusing on internet and technology research at Pew Research Center .

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University of Washington Information School

Wendy Chun delivers the Ed Mignon Lecture in the HUB

Social media sentiment analysis rooted in history, lecturer says

Dr. Wendy Hui Kyong Chun began the 2024 Ed Mignon Distinguished Lecture with a seemingly innocuous phrase: “How are you?”

Chun, a professor at Simon Fraser University and a Canada 150 Research Chair, told the researchers, students and others at the University of Washington HUB that the roots of modern social media can be traced to social scientists’ studies conducted nearly a century ago.

Examining how social media companies track users’ feelings, Chun connected a five-year study of workers near Chicago in the 1930s to the modern state of “bossware.” This technology is used by employers to track their workers using methods such as monitoring mouse-clicks and audio and video recording.

Chun further established the links between studies conducted on Japanese American internees during World War II to present-day examples of sentiment analysis as a social media-based research tool. Sentiment analysis is a process that measures how positive or negative a feeling or statement is, with the goal of changing the behaviors of the workers or platform users.

In the May 16 lecture, Chun said she chose to study sentiment analysis “because it’s so creepy. There’s a long history of using sentiment analysis to justify surveillance, even though it always fails.” Sentiment analysis is often conducted on participants who have not truly consented to participate, she noted.

The studies conducted during the internment of Japanese Americans, when communities were split up and people were sent to camps throughout the West, are examples of this forced surveillance.

Between 1942 and 1946, internees were studied by social scientists. The goal was Americanization, said Chun. Monitored extensively by researchers from the U.S. Bureau of Sociological Research, the Japanese Americans in the study viewed the researchers as being from an FBI-like entity, Chun said. Japanese Americans including Richard Nishimoto documented the abuses of people interned in the camps, and this record eventually provided evidence for the Supreme Court’s ruling that the forced relocations were unconstitutional.

The surveillance of internees at the camps, Chun said, directly foreshadowed modern social media companies’ research and algorithms based on sentiment analysis.

“The early 20th century factory test room and U.S. World War II internment camps ground the ‘social’ in social media today,” Chun said.

Chun’s work argues that, “In order to make sense of AI, to understand its possibilities, its limitations and its logic, we need to engage the humanities and critical theory, in all its past and current forms — from structuralism to poststructuralism, from gender performativity, to trans studies.”

Her next book, “Sensing AI: Sentiment Generative Models and the Returns of Critical Theory,” will further explore these connections.

Asked what she wants the audience to take away from her lecture, Chun said, “The importance of understanding that our technical defaults are always engaged with history and culture.”

“By engaging, rather than ignoring this history, these worlds and these theoretical settings, how might we reimagine and re-create the ‘social’ embedded within our media technologies?” she asked the crowd.

This event marked the first time since the COVID pandemic began that the Mignon Lecture was held in-person. The goal of the Ed Mignon Distinguished Lecture is to inspire original thinking and foster creativity among students, faculty and researchers at the Information School.

Jin Ha Lee , professor and associate dean for faculty affairs, led the Information School faculty group that selected Chun as this year’s speaker and gave a warm introduction.

“It was brilliant, and so energizing,” said Carole Palmer , Information School professor and associate dean for research. Palmer gave the inaugural Mignon Lecture in 2013.

Palmer noted that Chun also held sessions with iSchool graduate students during her visit to Seattle. “Young scholars seeing people who inspire them, and who will talk shop with them, is always one of our goals,” Palmer said.

“The lecture brought in a lot of histories,” said MLIS student David Kreiss-Tompkins, who attended. “Especially of the internment camps and the incarceration of Japanese people, and how those [camps] were on Native American land, which I hadn’t known.”

“It’s been incredibly interesting and productive,” Chun said of her visit. “The iSchool brings together such different disciplines and ways of thinking that I haven’t seen at another institution.”

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64 Examples of Social Issues Topics for 2024

May 21, 2024

Writing assignments asking students to engage with social justice/social issues topics target skills vitally important to success in college and beyond. They require writers to demonstrate critical, ethical, and dynamic thinking around demanding topics that present no quick and easy solution. Often, they will call for some amount of research, building textual and media literacy and awareness of the research process. In other words, these kinds of essays can be valuable in teaching students how to think and learn for themselves. But another, underappreciated learning outcome of these essays has to do with their function as communication.

This last feature can be easy to overlook in the context of writing assignments. Questions of audience, authority, and impact seem less significant when you know your teacher must read your essay. However, taking these questions seriously can not only enhance your odds of writing an excellent essay, but could also foster skills instrumental to real-world writing situations.

This article provides a list of social justice topics carefully selected to demonstrate the range and scale of available subjects. It also explains how you might approach writing about these issues with an eye for defining them and understanding the audience. Identifying a great topic that interests you enough to write about is an important early step. But what’s equally or even more important is to understand how to write about it clearly, directly, and persuasively.

How to Write a Successful Essay Grappling with Social Issues Topics

Writing about social issues topics is best improved through asking questions about purpose, context, and outcome. Why this topic and not another? Who is the audience, what do they know, and where might they stand on an issue? What are the typical ways others address the issue? What knowledge, perspective, or plan of action has been missing from that conversation? Why is this topic important to think about? Why is this essay important to read? These questions are crucial to delimiting which social justice topics to focus on and the strategy for writing about them. Answering them in the process of selecting a topic and developing a writing plan can help achieve the following components of good essays:

1) Defining the Issue

A frequent problem with student writing involves tackling questions or issues that are overly broad or vaguely defined. When selecting from social issues topics, it’s actually a smart strategy to think small. Rather than purporting to solve world peace, essays work better when drilling down into more localized and easily defined issues. This will help to communicate clearly what the issue is, convince the reader of its relevance, and successfully indicate that a short piece of writing could meaningfully contribute to the conversation around the issue.

2) Finding and Using Evidence

In many cases, essays on social issues topics will require some amount of research. When incorporating secondary evidence, it’s vital to find sources that are relevant to the topic and signal their credibility. However, even if research is not formally required, it can help toward establishing the purpose of a piece of writing within a larger discussion. Looking toward how others typically address an issue can help toward understanding whether an essay should aim to fill a gap in knowledge, supply a missing perspective, or outline actions that have not been proposed.

Successful Essay Grappling with Social Issues Topics (Cont.)

3) understanding audience.

Student essayists are not overly incentivized to think about questions of audience. However, understanding audience can help toward both defining an issue and acknowledging the purpose of writing. The most important thing to reflect on is the audience’s reason for reading a piece of writing. Why should they care about this social issue and what the essay will say about it? Understanding the reason for reading will help toward envisioning the ideal reader. Then, the essay’s language and arguments can be tailored to what that ideal reader already knows about the topic and their likely attitudes and beliefs.

4) Making an argument

This step follows the others and builds upon each. After clearly defining an issue that is appropriate in scope, an essay should clearly state its purpose or position. It should then interpret relevant evidence to support that position or fulfill its purpose. Then, it should aim to convince the audience by organizing evidence and reasoning into paragraphs structured around topic sentences that support the purpose or position. As these steps make clear, the argument is the essay. Making an argument entails justifying the act of writing itself, as well as the reader’s decision to follow the writer in focusing on an issue from a unique vantage point.

The following list of examples indicates some of the range of social issue essay topics. When considering these or other examples, writers should consider how they can foster purposive essays that understand how they are entering and changing the conversation around the issue.

Example Social Issues Topics – Tech and Labor

Artificial intelligence and digital technology.

The environmental impact of emerging AI technologies and industries.
Whether AI is a paradigm-shifting revolution or part of a long, gradual history of technology-assisted creative or technical work.
The biases that exist in AI systems and data and ways of redressing them.
The emergent use of AI tools in modern warfare.
How a specific political movement or group of activists has embraced digital communication technologies to advance a cause.
How digital self-publishing has affected trends and systems in the publishing industry.
How social media algorithms promote addictive behaviors and their effect on minors.
A surprising or disturbing effect of government and corporate digital surveillance practices.

Social Issues Topics (Continued)

Economic and labor issues.

Causes and effects of unionization in industries connected to the gig economy.
Disparities in wages between men and women affecting a key industry like tech.
How changes in minimum wage policies affect other wage earners.
The impact of globalization on labor rights and standards in the film industry.
Comparing the outcomes of universal basic income and guaranteed minimum income as novel social welfare programs.
How faculty and graduate student unionization movements respond to shifting labor and ideological conditions at universities.
What geographical factors and/or trends in property ownership shape income inequality within a select area?
Job fields under threat by automation and AI and strategic responses to the prospect of job replacement.

Example Social Issues Topics –Education and the Environment

The effects of the COVID pandemic on textual and media literacy in children and young adults.
How educators are responding to the challenges and opportunities of generative AI.
Areas of learning affected by bans on “critical race theory” and LGBTQ-related topics in schools.
How digital culture has affected the attention spans of young learners.
The sources of increased student debt and its effects on the culture of higher education.
The history and educational role of political protest on college campuses.
How the end of affirmative action could affect the role colleges have played in promoting wide social mobility.
The source of debates around “school choice” and how it is changing the face of education.

Environment and Sustainability

Geopolitical tensions salient to the transnational effort to combat climate change.
Protest and advocacy strategies adopted by environmental advocates and different ways of measuring their effectiveness.
Solutions for the disproportionate environmental burdens on marginalized communities.
Whether mass consumer behavior or the practices of the economic elite are most responsible for climate crises.
Comparing the effectiveness of political optimism and pessimism in efforts to redress climate change.
Environmental challenges that result from destructive practices of modern warfare including ecocide.
Global meat consumption, its contribution to climate change , and proposed solutions.
The benefits and drawbacks of green capitalist and “de-growth” movements as radically contrasting approaches to combatting climate change.

Example Social Justice Topics – Human Rights and Geopolitics

Human rights and equality.

How the end of Roe v. Wade has changed the political landscape around women’s reproductive rights.
Whether cultural or legal solutions could work best to prevent violence against women.
The alliance between feminists and political conservatives that has emerged in the clash over LGBTQ rights.
How news media outlets have influenced widespread political efforts to curtail the rights of transgender people.
Tensions between private corporations and governments around diversity and inclusion efforts.
The effect of enhanced police oversight by civilians on the disproportionate use of force against minority communities.
Barriers to housing, employment, or health services faced by people with disabilities.
How exploitative work practices affecting minors exist despite legal efforts to curtail them.

International and Geopolitical Issues

How migrant crises have influenced new border and immigration policies.
How contemporary proxy wars differ from earlier methods of international conflict.
Tensions that exist between global humanitarian aid agencies and actors in Global South countries that receive aid.
How efforts to ensure affordable access to medicines across the world were affected by the COVID pandemic.
How globalization has changed the world distribution of wealth inequality.
Weighing the humanitarian costs of solar and electric energy production against those of the oil industry.
How cultural differences around gender and sexuality influence global movements for women’s equality and LGBTQ rights.
How authoritarian and/or religious political movements have become internationalized.

Example Social Justice Topics – The Legal System and Government

Justice and legal system.

Restorative justice alternatives to traditional carceral approaches in the legal system.
Efforts to eliminate cash bail and their potential effect on disparities in pretrial detention and bail practices.
Legal challenges that new technologies have created in terms of defining or prosecuting crime.
Methods of preventing and prosecuting police brutality and harassment.
How the locations of prisons affect local communities and economies.
Ways to combat mass incarceration through rethinking policing and sentencing standards.
Academic, professional, and legal services in prisons and their effect on imprisoned populations.
Mental health challenges present in the legal and carceral systems.

Politics and Governance

Methods of global governance that have emerged to address transnational challenges like climate change and public health.
Questions related to freedom of speech principles that have emerged in the digital age.
Mutual aid efforts that address areas of public need that have been unaddressed through traditional political methods.
How participatory media encourages broader civic engagement and government transparency.
Political solutions for addressing the phenomena of food deserts or food apartheid.
Responses of local governments to sharp increases in homelessness after the COVID pandemic.
The internationalization of culture wars and political polarization around issues relating to race/ethnicity, gender, and sexuality.
Philosophies about the conflict between ideals of multicultural openness and respect for cultural differences.

Final Thoughts – Social Issues Topics

The above social justice topics provide a sense of the large range of urgent issues an essay might topic. However, it’s best to reflect on how a piece of writing can define an issue so as to make clear that it is capable of doing something meaningful with it. That could entail looking for similar, more niche issues to address. Or it could mean deeper thought about an issue for which the writer anticipates they could provide missing information, perspectives, or plans of action. While many readers care about many topics, it’s vital to understand how an essay can create a tangible relationship with an ideal reader. Only then can a writer spur others to think or act in novel and potentially transformative ways.

Additional Resources

Good Persuasive Speech Topics
Debate Topics
Argumentative Essay Topics
60 Senior Project Ideas for High Schoolers
101 Topics for the Science Fair
100 Creative Writing Prompts
High School Success

Tyler Talbott

Tyler holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Missouri and two Master of Arts degrees in English, one from the University of Maryland and another from Northwestern University. Currently, he is a PhD candidate in English at Northwestern University, where he also works as a graduate writing fellow.

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SSW graduates 216

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 • Jaelon Jackson :

The University of Texas at Arlington's School of Social Work held its Spring Commencement Ceremony Friday, May 10, celebrating the achievements of one Ph.D., 129 master’s, and 86 bachelor’s students.

The ceremony, held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, highlighted the dedication and hard work of these students.

The graduates stepped into the next chapter of their lives equipped with the knowledge and skills gained from the Bachelor of Science in Substance Use and Treatment, Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work, and Ph.D. in Social Work programs.

Dr. Christine Highfill, the sole social work doctoral graduate for this semester, represented the pinnacle of academic achievement in the field.

She was recognized for her significant contributions to social work research and scholarship, and her dedication to advancing knowledge in the field was applauded.

Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Highfill describes what it feels like to be a Ph.D. graduate.

"I think you stand a little bit taller. The change in name reflects the change in identity that I've experienced over the past five years in the program," Highfill said.

The School of Social Work at UTA takes pride in preparing graduates for careers promoting social justice, community development, and individual well-being. The diverse array of programs offered, from undergraduate to doctoral levels, ensure students receive a comprehensive education, equipping them to address the complex challenges of contemporary society.

The ceremony concluded with a triumphant procession of graduates, symbolizing the collective achievements of the School of Social Work community.

Master of Social Work graduate Makita Johnson described graduation as an emotional experience filled with moments of joy.

"It was seeing the fruits of my labor come to fruition - from taking night and weekend classes over the past 13 years to earn my Associate’s, to scheduling classes around my family and work obligations to earn my Bachelor's, and then spending long nights glued to the computer to earn my Master's," Johnson said.

Johnson added graduating meant fulfilling a promise to herself and setting an example for her children about determination and hard work.

Dr. Regina Praetorius noted Johnson joined the MSW program after earning a Bachelor of Social Work at St. Edward’s University in Austin. Praetorius said Johnson has successfully integrated her tech and organizational skills into her social work practice.

"She has been the lead GSL (Graduate Student Leader) intern in both fall and spring and has helped build great infrastructure for moving forward," Praetorius said.

To look at photos from the commencement ceremony click here: Facebook

To watch the Spring 2024 Commencement, click here: https://www.uta.edu/commencement/photos-videos

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Call for High School Projects

Machine learning for social impact .

The Thirty-Eighth Annual Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS 2024) is an interdisciplinary conference that brings together researchers in machine learning, neuroscience, statistics, optimization, computer vision, natural language processing, life sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, and other adjacent fields.

This year, we invite high school students to submit research papers on the topic of machine learning for social impact. A subset of finalists will be selected to present their projects virtually and will have their work spotlighted on the NeurIPS homepage. In addition, the leading authors of up to five winning projects will be invited to attend an award ceremony at NeurIPS 2024 in Vancouver.

Each submission must describe independent work wholly performed by the high school student authors. We expect each submission to highlight either demonstrated positive social impact or the potential for positive social impact using machine learning. Application areas may include but are not limited to the following:

Agriculture
Climate change
Homelessness
Food security
Mental health
Water quality

Authors will be asked to confirm that their submissions accord with the NeurIPS code of conduct and the NeurIPS code of ethics .

Submission deadline: All submissions must be made by June 27th, 4pm EDT. The system will close after this time, and no further submissions will be possible.

We are using OpenReview to manage submissions. Papers should be submitted here . Submission will open June 1st. Submissions under review will be visible only to their assigned program committee. We will not be soliciting comments from the general public during the reviewing process. Anyone who plans to submit a paper as an author or a co-author will need to create (or update) their OpenReview profile by the full paper submission deadline.

Formatting instructions: All submissions must be in PDF format. Submissions are limited to four content pages , including all figures and tables; additional pages containing only references are allowed. You must format your submission using the NeurIPS 2024 LaTeX style file using the “preprint” option for non-anonymous submission. The maximum file size for submissions is 50MB. Submissions that violate the NeurIPS style (e.g., by decreasing margins or font sizes) or page limits may be rejected without further review. Papers may be rejected without consideration of their merits if they fail to meet the submission requirements, as described in this document.

Mentorship and collaboration: The submitted research can be a component of a larger research endeavor involving external collaborators, but the submission should describe only the authors’ contributions. The authors can also have external mentors but must disclose the nature of the mentorship. At the time of submission, the authors will be asked to describe the involvement of any mentors or external collaborators and to distinguish mentor and collaborator contributions from those of the authors. In addition, the authors may (optionally) include an acknowledgements section acknowledging the contributions of others following the content sections of the submission. The acknowledgements section will not count toward the submission page limit.

Proof of high school attendance: Submitting authors will also be asked to upload a signed letter, on school letterhead, from each author’s high school confirming that the author was enrolled in high school during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Supplementary artifacts: In their submission, authors may link to supplementary artifacts including videos, working demonstrations, digital posters, websites, or source code. Please do not link to additional text. All such supplementary material should be wholly created by the authors and should directly support the submission content.

Review process: Each submission will be reviewed by anonymous referees. The authors, however, should not be anonymous. No written feedback will be provided to the authors.

Use of Large Language Models (LLMs): We welcome authors to use any tool that is suitable for preparing high-quality papers and research. However, we ask authors to keep in mind two important criteria. First, we expect papers to fully describe their methodology. Any tool that is important to that methodology, including the use of LLMs, should be described also. For example, authors should mention tools (including LLMs) that were used for data processing or filtering, visualization, facilitating or running experiments, or proving theorems. It may also be advisable to describe the use of LLMs in implementing the method (if this corresponds to an important, original, or non-standard component of the approach). Second, authors are responsible for the entire content of the paper, including all text and figures, so while authors are welcome to use any tool they wish for writing the paper, they must ensure that all text is correct and original.

Dual submissions: Submissions that are substantially similar to papers that the authors have previously published or submitted in parallel to other peer-reviewed venues with proceedings or journals may not be submitted to NeurIPS. Papers previously presented at workshops or science fairs are permitted, so long as they did not appear in a conference proceedings (e.g., CVPRW proceedings), a journal, or a book. However, submissions will not be published in formal proceedings, so work submitted to this call may be published elsewhere in the future. Plagiarism is prohibited by the NeurIPS Code of Conduct .

Paper checklist: In order to improve the rigor and transparency of research submitted to and published at NeurIPS, authors are required to complete a paper checklist . The paper checklist is intended to help authors reflect on a wide variety of issues relating to responsible machine learning research, including reproducibility, transparency, research ethics, and societal impact. The checklist does not count towards the page limit and will be entered in OpenReview.

Contact: [email protected]

Going light: Students ditch smartphones in mental health study

Study authors from the Stanford Social Media Lab presenting slides about the Light Phone in a classroom.

The Stanford Social Media Lab wrapped up a study on the effect of smartphones and social media usage on mental health on May 12. The study asked participants to abandon normal smartphones for a week and switch to the Light Phone instead.

“Its slogan is: ‘a phone designed to be used as little as possible,’” said Georgia Walker-Keleher ’26, co-founder of the study and member of the research team.

Davey Agrawal ’26, a participant in the study, explained how the Light Phone eliminated the possibility of social media “taking over parts of your day when you don’t want it to.” For Agrawal, this was an immense positive. “I felt clear-minded throughout the week, and, I would say, it was easier to focus.”

The Light Phone by Light is equipped with a small, 96 by 55 millimeter e-ink display and runs the company’s specialized operating system “Light OS.”

A small phone with only a keyboard and small screen to view messages.

“You can still take calls, you can still text people, you can set alarms, but there are no apps. There’s no social media,” said Angela Lee, a fifth-year Ph.D. student in communications who ran the study. The goal of the study was to “understand the effects of smartphone [and] social media use on psychological well being,” Lee said.

A full analysis of the study’s findings is still in the works, but anecdotal accounts like are overwhelmingly positive. “There were a lot of people who chose to keep the phone in the end,” Walker-Keleher said.

Agrawal and Jenna Ali ’25, both participants in the study, spoke highly of the Light Phone. They highlighted not only the mental health benefits of limiting access to social media, but also the time management and productivity it afforded.

Agrawal explained that while using the Light Phone, he would occasionally check Instagram on his iPad, “but each time I would have to do that, it’s very intentional.” Ali said that the use of a Light Phone allowed her to “really live in the moment.” “You don’t need to be on social media to have connections with people” she said.

Light was founded as a kickstarter in 2015, with the mission of “[being] an alternative to the tech monopolies that are fighting more and more aggressively for our time & attention,” according to Light’s website .

The idea for the study originally came from Walker-Keleher and her roommate Caroline Chen ’26, an editor at The Daily.

“In the spring of last year, I had been using the Light Phone for [a few months], and people would see it and be curious and ask about and want to try it,” Walker-Keleher said. She said that she reached out to several labs on campus and received interest from the Stanford Social Media lab.

Then she reached out to Joe Hollier, one of the founders of Light Phone. Walker-Keleher said she “asked him if he would be willing to donate phones or give phones for a Stanford study.”

She emphasized that the research results were independent to the industry partners.

Over 80 students took part in the research. After receiving their Light Phones and being helped through the setup process, participants agreed to completely switch over to the Light Phone for a week and fill out a series of surveys along the way.

Participants were split into three groups, a “high-interest group,” a test group and control group. The test and control group were recruited from classes in the communications department. “[Switching phones] requires a large incentive … we accomplished that by using it as a research credit for a [communications] class,” said Emma Charity ’25, a member of the research team.

The high-interest group was made up of participants who expressed interest in response to flyers and emails. This group was told, “If you want to, we will compensate you for your time if you’re willing to switch over from your smartphone,” Lee said. All three groups filled out the same set of surveys throughout the week.

Agrawal and Ali were overwhelmingly positive in their reviews of the light phone, but they also highlighted a few particular challenges. “I wish that it had Spotify so that I could stream music … Also, the directions could be a little better,” Ali said.

Agrawal highlighted the phone’s lack of support for WhatsApp. Light Phone wrote on its website that they hope to support WhatsApp in the future, but “don’t currently have plans or a timeline for that functionality.”

A complete analysis of the collected data is expected to release soon. “It’ll hopefully have a lot of implications for this ongoing debate about how smartphones and social media specifically affects mental health and wellbeing,” Lee said.

She noted that there is a scarcity of experimental studies in this field. “We know this is a big question that a lot of people have, and people have a lot of strong priors or beliefs about it,” she said.

Walker-Keleher said that group intends to re-run the study next fall.

“I hope that this [study] sparks people’s interest in how their technical talent and how their interest in tech issues can spur actual products and actual change,” Charity said.

A previous version of this article misspelled Agrawal’s last name. The Daily regrets this error.

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Research Program Coordinator

Madison, Wisconsin
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION/WIS CENTER FOR EDUCATION RESCH-GEN
Staff-Full Time
Opening at: May 23 2024 at 14:00 CDT
Closing at: Jun 6 2024 at 23:55 CDT

Job Summary:

The School Mental Health Collaborative (SMHC; https://smhcollaborative.org/ ) is a research center at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Education's Wisconsin Center for Education Research. SMHC is focused on conducting research to inform policy and practice related to the promotion of the social-emotional and behavioral success of K-12 students. Our research projects are designed to promote the mental health of children and adolescents across a range of funding sources including federal grants and foundation funding. For more information visit: https://smhcollaborative.org/ The Research Program Coordinator plans and leads operational, outreach, financial, and promotional activities of the School Mental Health Collaborative. The Research Program Coordinator will also collaborate with individuals across many different organizations or entities.

Responsibilities:

20% Coordinates the daily activities and contracts related to one or more research program(s)
5% Assists in the development, coordination, and facilitation of trainings and workshops for internal and external audiences to disseminate research program developments and information
25% Plans, develops, and implements processes and protocols to support research aims
15% Serves as a unit liaison and subject matter expert among internal and external stakeholder groups, collaborates across disciplines and functional areas, provides program information, and promotes the accomplishments and developments of scholars and research initiatives
15% Monitors program budget(s) and approves unit expenditures
10% Develops policies, procedures, and institutional agreements on behalf of the program
10% Oversees student scheduling, leave reporting, staff hiring forms, and onboarding

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Required Bachelor's Degree

Focus in Education or Socials Sciences preferred.

Qualifications:

Prior experience with the following: - Participant recruitment; - State and federal education regulations; - Pre and post award management; - Student supervision; - Budget management; - Education, social services, or health and mental health promotion; - Event management

Full Time: 100% It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Minimum $65,449 ANNUAL (12 months) Depending on Qualifications

Additional Information:

The Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER), established in 1964, is one of the first, most productive, and largest university-based education research and development centers in the world. WCER's researchers and staff work to make teaching and learning as effective as possible for all ages and all people. WCER's mission is to improve educational outcomes for diverse student populations, impact education practice positively and foster collaborations among academic disciplines and practitioners. To this end, our center helps scholars and practitioners develop, submit, conduct, and share grant-funded education research. WCER's Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison and The Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER). Individual differences and group diversity inspire creative and equitable outcomes. WCER actively affirms values and seeks to increase diversity in our everyday interactions, practices, and policies. For more information and news about our center, please go to https://wcer.wisc.edu/ . If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability during the recruitment process, please email [email protected] and one of our Division Disability Representatives will contact you. More information can also be found at https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/ .

How to Apply:

Please click on the "Apply Now" button to start the application process. As part of the application process, you will be required to submit: - A cover letter describing how your experience and qualifications meet the requirements of this position addressed to Dr. Andy Garbacz. - A current resume or CV. - A list of at least three professional references, including contact information.

Laura Hankes [email protected] 608-890-4461 Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Research Program Coordinator(RE123)

Department(s):

A17-SCHOOL OF EDUCATION/WCER

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

The university of wisconsin-madison is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer..

You will be redirected to the application to launch your career momentarily. Thank you!

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15 January 2024. Author. Chloe Garnham. Reviewed by. Miroslav Damyanov. With the rise of technology, social media has been adopted across the globe. 60% of the world's population uses social media, spending an average of two hours and 24 minutes on platforms each day. Research in this area garners continuous interest given social media's ...
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This scoping review of research explores which disciplines have studied social media as it relates to education and, more broadly, use by students of high school and college age. The sample explores 10 years of research (2009-2018). A search of Web of Science yielded 580 relevant peer-reviewed articles published through the end of 2018, with 260 (44.8%) of these articles focused on education ...
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For many young adults, accessing social media has become a normal part of their daily lives (Park and Lee, 2014).As of 2015, 90% of young adults regularly used social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (Perrin, 2015).Researchers estimate that university students spend about 8-10 hours per day browsing, liking posts, and posting on social media sites ().
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Schmeichel, Mardi; Hughes, Hilary E.; and Kutner, Mel (2018) "Qualitative Research on Youths' Social Media Use: A review of the literature," Middle Grades Review: Vol. 4 : Iss. 2 , Article 4. This Research is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Education and Social Services at ScholarWorks @ UVM.
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SSW graduates 216
Makita Johnson, MSW graduate. The University of Texas at Arlington's School of Social Work held its Spring Commencement Ceremony Friday, May 10, celebrating the achievements of one Ph.D., 129 master's, and 86 bachelor's students. The ceremony, held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, highlighted the dedication and hard work of these students.
2024 Call for High School Projects
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Research Program Coordinator
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8. Social Media Platforms as Primary News Sources

9. How Social Media Paves Way for Non-Traditional Advertising

10. Impacts of Social Media Presence on Corporate Image

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