social media

A yellow boy stares down a pipeline with an innocent smile on his face, eager to explore; the pipeline looks old, and grey, and rusty, the phrase "alt-right" looking almost scratched into the metal. The sun looks down with a concerned face from a clear blue sky, as white clouds give way to a dark storm front.

Alt-Right Algorithms

Vera Pavlovich, Loyola University Maryland

Despite the decrease in popularity of the original alt-right YouTube influencers, the alt-right pipeline is still alive and thriving.…

May 28, 2024

A woman with brown skin, dark hair and a pink headband stands in front of a grey wall, with A-shaped markings in it. She's smiling into a camera stand from which the silhouette of an iPhone can be seen; the ring of the stand glows yellow, presumably casting light on her as the phone's camera captures her in shot.

Why Content Creators like xoxo, Akouto are Necessary Online

Cerasela Hanseter, University of California, Berkeley

Akouto Von brings a new perspective to YouTube content, offering a sense of vulnerability not often found in newer creators.…

April 10, 2024

Two pink hands are typing at a laptop on a purple table against a pink background littered with writings and documents. The laptop has a blue screen containing an inkwell and a sheet of paper with scribbles on it, presumably this writer's latest piece of work.

Verse in the Digital Age: A New Perception of Poetry

Sarah Erin, Brooklyn College

From Micropoems to Spoken Word, social media sites like Instagram and TikTok is redefining what it means to consume modern poetry.…

March 4, 2024

In this article -- about how sites like TikTok are enabling new ways of preserving memories like a digital scrapbook -- a girl with a red shirt and hair is smiling at posts on her iphone against a blended background of pink, orange and green, dotted with brown stars. A speech bubble extends from the phone, containing old photographs and hearts, representing the memories found in the posts therein.

The Rise of Digital Scrapbooking: How TikTok Makes Nostalgia Trendy

Allegra Walker, University at Albany - SUNY

How has TikTok made a universal feeling we all have become viral? How do we use this platform to commemorate milestones?…

February 19, 2024

In this article, about how social media challenges can help users progress on important self-development goals, a purple figure is waving at a black smartphone. It casts a chalk-like blue light against the figure and the dark background, as grey stars twinkle around the space.

Follower-Farming or Self-Actualization: The Positive Side of Social Media

Santiago Rivera, Washington University in St. Louis

The growing trend of doing a daily challenge for every follower you gain. Is it selfish follower “farming” or self-improvement encouragement?…

February 9, 2024

Will Getting the Trendiest Bottle Make You Drink More Water?

Sophie Serage, University of Massachusetts, Boston

Stanley cups and “water recipes” have taken over the internet but people have tried to incentivize drinking water for years.…

January 25, 2024

Evolution or Devolution? The Changing Structure of Songs

Avery Heeringa, Columbia College Chicago

Over time, music has varied in length and structure. In the current digital age, where does music clock in? …

January 24, 2024

Read Between the Lines: The Problem With the Goodreads Challenge

Havilah Sciabbarrasi, Florida State University

Does Goodreads make reading more work than fun? How to approach the reading challenge without sacrificing the joy of literature. …

January 14, 2024

The Unspoken Connection of Instagram Reels

Christine Bardos, Santa Clara University

With all the negative connotations surrounding social media, let’s take a moment to appreciate the camaraderie that it builds. …

December 24, 2023

Against a static black background, a girl sits on her bed in the dark with the only light being the shining screen of her iphone.

A Growing Depression: Gen Z, u ok?

Natalie VanHecke, University of Texas at Dallas

Examining the Double-Edged Sword of Social Media in Relation to the Rise in Mental Illness Among Generation Z.…

December 18, 2023

Fast Food Brands’ Ad Campaigns Adapt to Gen Z’s Appetite for Relatable Marketing

Milan Parker, Emory University

With Wendy's as the champion of the movement, many fast-food companies are taking to social media to launch ad campaigns that are more relatable to Gen Z.…

September 16, 2023

In an article about acting unserious on social media, a girl lies on her stomach while scrolling through her phone, attached to marionette strings.

Acting Unserious: Has Social Media Become (Even More) Toxic?

Ally Najera, California State University, Northridge

While there’s good in its use, the ugly lies underneath.…

September 3, 2023

In an article about Reddit, a computer monitor reads, 'r/Cats is a private page.'

API Changes and Reddit Protests: the Future of Social Media

Shannon Strenfel, Arizona State University

Reddit's volunteer-supported structure relies on its users, but the application's latest updates prioritize ad revenue over accessibility, leading to disastrous consequences.…

August 31, 2023

Lost in the Algorithmic Loop: The Illusion of Choice on Social Media

Isabelle Brookshire, Whittier College

Are our favorite platforms deciding our interests for us?…

August 22, 2023

In an article about concert etiquette, an arm tosses a phone over the heads of a faceless crowd.

Is Concert Etiquette a Thing of the Past?

Avery Heeringa, Columbia College Chicago

From airborne iPhones to hospital trips, concert etiquette is being replaced by every-man-for-himself attempts at snatching a moment of fame.…

August 19, 2023

In an article about Threads, a phone screen stands out against a black background, with an Instagram notification and loops of white text on a black background, repeating the words "Threads" and "say more."

Threads Threatens Turbulent Times for Twitter

Shannon Strenfel, Arizona State University

With Reddit and Twitter on the decline, Threads offers a promising alternative in the form of the fediverse.…

July 31, 2023

An illustration of a resume that is listed with inactive social media profiles.

Being Inactive on Social Media Shouldn’t Hurt Your Career Prospects

Julia Concepcion, Virginia Commonwealth University

If Instagram handles have as much advocacy as skill sets, what happens when those handles are deemed insufficient?…

July 11, 2023

In an article about the toxic aspects of Linkedin, a young girl looks at her social media feed with tears running down her face.

LinkedIn Is the Thief of Joy

Emily Chang, Wellesley College

Most social media platforms enable constant comparison, but LinkedIn seems to be the most toxic of them all.…

March 17, 2023

In an article about violence desensitization and the death of Tyre Nichols, dark figures gather around to watch videos on social media.

Are We Raising Awareness Correctly?

Katherine Hollis, New York University

In the advent of social media activism, we must remember to preserve personhood over shock value.…

March 10, 2023

Illustration of a phone on fire, representing 'hot takes.'

When ‘Hot Takes’ Go Cold

Kane Howard, York College

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but what happens when that opinion is misinformed?…

February 28, 2023

People talking in a group, demonstrating social skills.

Is Social Media Bad For Our Social Skills?

Kane Howard, York College

Are online interactions any less important than in-person ones?…

February 22, 2023

In an article about social media and small businesses, a chalkboard in a shop window reads 'Thank you for shopping local.'

How Social Media Is Helping Small Businesses Thrive

Caroline Ocampo, The University of Texas at Arlington

Marketing can be tricky for small-scale operations, but these networks are making it easier than ever before.…

February 9, 2023

Tumblr Introduces the ‘Important Blue Internet Checkmark’

Shawna Smith, University of Phoenix

Yes, you can buy this one too.…

January 30, 2023

In an article about doom scrolling, a man sits on a ledge and stares at his phone screen.

When Your For-You-Page Becomes Too Specific

Azeezah Ibraheem, Near East University

Big Brother may not be watching you, but your FYP certainly is.…

January 11, 2023

An article on 'the alchemist' has a picture of a man staring into the sunset

‘The Alchemist’ Offers Messages More Relevant Now Than Ever

Liam Jackson, Michigan State University

In an age when books are undervalued, it's time to take another look at this modern classic.…

December 31, 2022

In an article about social media influencers, a woman looks at her phone screen.

How Hard is it to Become a Social Media Influencer?

Kane Howard, York College

It turns out there is a lot more to it than posing for pictures and copy-and-pasting captions.…

December 27, 2022

Image of a phone displaying social media giant, Instagram

The Rise and Fall of Social Media Platforms

Kane Howard, York College

Elon Musk's recent acquisition of Twitter has left thousands of users dissatisfied. But Twitter isn't the first platform to fall from grace.…

November 30, 2022

In an article about Neocities, a page of code

Neocities: An Underrated Online Gem

Shawna Smith, University of Phoenix

Modern-day social media has moved away from letting users completely customize their accounts. But some users find themselves missing their individuality.…

November 29, 2022