By Emily Chang, Wellesley College

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

By Katherine Hollis, New York University

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

By Kane Howard, York College

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

By Kane Howard, York College

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

By 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.

By Shawna Smith, University of Phoenix

Yes, you can buy this one too.

By Azeezah Ibraheem, Near East University

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

By Liam Jackson, Michigan State University

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

By Kane Howard, York College

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

By 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.

By 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.

By Chelsie Ross, Florida A&M University

This social media platform is connecting music lovers everywhere one song at a time. 

By Azeezah Ibraheem, Near East University

We’re feeling more alone than ever. Social media and COVID-19 may be to blame.

By Vanessa Rivera, James Madison University

The app is premised on transparency, which appears to be a common theme among other platforms as of late.

By Kwami Maranga, Binghamton University

Recent changes to the app’s layout and its newfound emphasis on video content reveal the social media platform’s lack of focus.

By Maria Merlo, Eastern Michigan University

No more follower counts or influencers hawking scam products; Tumblr is the place to truly be yourself.

By Kaitlyn Anderson, Cornell University

Pinterest has recently rolled out a new creator’s fund, but what is it and how are people using it to make money?

By Braden Beck, California State Channel Islands

What motivates people to follow these trends even when they’re proven to be dangerous?

By Nora Weiss, George Washington University

Social platforms capitalize on mindless scrolling and instant gratification — yet, such behaviors come with bad implications for our brains.

By Niall Calvert, Wesleyan University

This celebrity lawsuit has demonstrated the transformative effect of social media on public opinion.

By Maggie Habermas, University of Texas at San Antonio

The internet is running out of nostalgia to fuel itself.

By Amandine Shadia, The University of Arizona Global Campus

Viewing life through the lens of social media can be mentally draining and damaging. Sometimes it is necessary to take a break.

By Asiya Robinson, Rowan University

She is known for her unwavering confidence — here’s how the star boosted her own ego and how you can too.

By Aly Walters, Michigan State University

After taking time off from the app, I realized that my mental health had drastically improved in more ways than one.

By Joy Young, Chapman University

Does catering to the social media influencer provide a worthy investment for a company, or is it just another privilege for the growing industry?

By Maggie Habermas, University of Texas at San Antonio

Are we currently witnessing the death of the notorious form of celebrity? Or is it the birth of something much more sinister?

By Lena Bramsen, The New School

The Canadian online personality rose to stardom in 2018 for her relatable, endearingly dorky Youtube videos. But in 2021, she disappeared from the internet without a trace, making her fans nervously question her whereabouts.

By Maggie Habermas, University of Texas at San Antonio

The battle to be seen online has morphed disorders into trends.

By Lena Bramsen, The New School

From missing persons cases to infamous killers, the macabre becomes a subject of seemingly harmless fascination on the app. Unfortunately, sometimes innocent people get caught in the crossfire.

By Alyssa Griffin, Molloy College

News spreads faster than ever before, and it’s never been easier to gauge the public’s reaction. However, the responses to what’s happening in Ukraine range from the serious to the weird. 

By Aly Walters, Michigan State University

Social media users are gradually moving away from carefully curated posts in favor of showing a more raw and genuine side of their lives.

By Virginia Laurie, Washington and Lee University

The social media platform stepped in it again following an Apple update that censored a bizarre array of tags.

By Noir Galvin, Arcadia University

The lovable plush toys are all the rage this year. Why?

By Esha Shah, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Swift’s re-recording of one of her most popular albums has taken the world by storm — and big companies are not excluded.

By Jenna Amore, Oakland University

To cope with sloppy work and disruptive comments, school employees have turned to enjoying TikTok and Facebook videos that poke a bit of fun at their jobs.

By Joy Young, Chapman University

By Megan Heenan, Nevada State College

Cybercrime rates have exploded since the onset of the pandemic, encompassing everything from identity fraud to even some of the most classic of crimes.

By Megan Heenan, Nevada State College

Who are the people behind these first few viral sensations, why were they chosen and who created them?

By Megan Heenan, Nevada State College

In the hopes of recovering some of its teenage users after a recent drop in numbers, the platform is developing a new app geared toward a younger audience.

By Tori Walz, Eastern Michigan University

The addictive world of social media is filled with toxicity and risks and is a place hardly suitable for young, impressionable children.

By Daniela Saffran, Rollins College

The trend has been around for decades, but society has polarizing opinions concerning the effects that its promotion has on adolescent girls.

By Beth Nipper, University of Iowa

To grab the attention of would-be customers, companies often try to give off the air of casual relatability — a pose that, in reality, has been carefully constructed.

By Niall Calvert, Wesleyan University

The controversial anonymous social media platform has returned to the App Store after four years of absence, and its rebirth has initiated a long and complicated path to reconciling its ugly past.

By Mai Senser, Virginia Commonwealth University

Millions have been using this movie-centered platform as a virtual diary to log what they watch, connect with others and — most importantly — share their opinions.

By Study Breaks Staff

The ancient form of communication is becoming increasingly popular as social media users become disenchanted with the internet.

By Study Breaks Staff

This popular website tool has not only become a critical hub for information regarding social justice topics but also serves to promote small businesses — while perhaps altering the conception of our digital selves at the same time.

By Jenna Nelson, Scripps College

As generations go on, young people act older and older — a phenomenon known as ‘Kids Getting Older Younger.’ Today, influencers dictate this ongoing process.

By Beth Nipper, University of Iowa

The platform and its parent company, Facebook, have come under fire after users reported the removal of posts regarding hot-button issues such as the Israel-Palestine conflict and COVID-19 misinformation.

By Sydney Smith, University of Pittsburgh

Despite having philosophical, revolutionary and political roots, the focus on caring for oneself has morphed into another mode of consumption. How did this happen?

By Ariana Quijano, Georgia State University

Viral TikTok user Ben Tarrolly is one of the many social media accounts that recycle content from other creators without giving them their due credit.

By Sarah Esquivel, University of Texas at San Antonio

With social media encouraging a culture of one-upping competitors, broadcasted fights may be the next step to achieving internet fame.

By Benjamin Chen, Columbia University

Social media influencers and members of the public alike are benefitting from the way in which this Beijing-based app allows for dissipating and receiving information.

By Emma Watts, University of Arizona

By Anastasiya Cernei, Missouri State University

While there are plenty of benefits to using social media, like keeping up with friends and family, overuse can have a negative impact on one’s well-being.

By Alexa Katherine Will, University of Pittsburgh

Apps such as bopdrop and features like Spotify Wrapped support the idea that a person’s favorite songs can hint at their character. Is this a bad thing, or is there some validity to it?

By Benjamin Chen, Columbia University

One year after its release, this famous app is still growing, partially because its exclusivity and audio-only format facilitate a close-knit group experience.

By Sarah Esquivel, University of Texas at San Antonio

The Joe Keery-led comedy-horror film satirizes influencer culture and sheds light on the consequences of online narcissism.

By Daniel Buccafusca, East Stroudsburg University

What follows after the passing of beloved public figures is an overwhelming amount of suffering, even from those that never met the deceased.

By Alexa Katherine Will, University of Pittsburgh

As the usage of older apps is outpaced by that of their newer counterparts, young social media users are trying to forgo coveted aesthetics in favor of bringing about change.

By Daniel Reed

Sometimes having a lot of followers isn’t enough.

By Daniel Reed

Jumpstart your account with some outside help.

By Alexa Katherine Will, University of Pittsburgh

The poet’s most recent collection shows how she breaches the norms of traditional poetry. She truly is a poet for the modern age.

By Arianna Taylor, University of Rochester

The British YouTuber asks her audience to deal with the philosophical implications of art and dealing with oneself as a person with autonomy.

By Sarah Gudenau, Oakland University

The congresswoman is connecting with younger generations in unprecedented ways, most recently with a round of the popular online game Among Us.

By Haven Worley, University of Rochester

The fashion trend and subculture is rekindling an eagerness to learn after going viral on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

By Danielle Kuzel, Florida State University

The pandemic has spawned the creation of a lot of small businesses as people try to make a little extra cash. Here are several ways you can help support them.

By Danielle Kuzel, Florida State University

The new documentary-drama will make you put down your phone as it dives into what makes social media so addicting and the consequences attached to it.

By Tamara Kamis, Cornell University

Social media has been a useful source for news and critical information. However, it is essential that you fact check information and ensure it is reputable.

By Juliana Fujii, Biola University

When creating content, some stars see disobeying government mandates as a small price to pay, proving not all influencers should be considered role models.

By Imani Benberry, Columbia University

The doll’s aesthetic is taking social media by storm, and serving as a reminder of an alternative femininity that’s more inclusive and empowering.

By Chase Cutarelli, Columbia University

Many people are now relying on social media as their news sources, where misinformation spreads as fast as wildfire.

By Nora Markey, Wesleyan University

Through phone banking, social media and more, you can advocate for the issues that matter the most to you.

By Ailun Shi, UC Berkeley

The plan will rid Americans of apps, telecommunications carriers and cloud-based services connected to Chinese companies.

By Julia Greene, Columbia College Chicago

The book is full of social media, insane baked goods and a love story you can’t help but root for.

By Ailun Shi, UC Berkeley

From black squares to grayscale selfies accompanied with #ChallengeAccepted, Instagram activism is turning more and more into a bandwagon for people to jump on. Is it harming the original movements?

By Juliana Fujii, Biola University

Instead of villainizing technology just because it’s trendy, Cal Newport makes a compelling case for satisfaction that runs deeper than pings and pixels.

By Madelyn Haasken, Bemidji State University

Users of the app are claiming these techniques can help you achieve anything you’d like. But do they actually work?

By Chloe Hamer, Pitzer College

The philosopher’s theories of the ‘studium’ and the ‘punctum’ explains why we prefer certain creative works over others.

By Reem Farhat, Fordham University

Content producers are suffering from overwork, stress and exhaustion as they attempt to satisfy audiences and algorithms quickly and successfully.

By Farah Javed, CUNY Baruch College

As people scroll through Instagram and Twitter during lockdown, they are forced to confront images from injustices around the world.

By Brian Xi, University of California, Berkeley

What seems to be a comical trend on the popular video-sharing platform actually hints at a larger discontent with the status quo.

By Yasmeen Ludy, University of Michigan

Is cancel culture going too far, or are the stakes too high to just let things go?

By Emma Smith, Wesleyan University

Keep your feed filled with content about the Black Lives Matter movement, and see the impact and value of Black creators.

By Gabrielle Pascal, Hofstra University

It may seem like the only meaningful action right now is to hit the street, but there are plenty of other options to support the movement, even if you don’t have any money.

By Juliana Fujii, Biola University

Amidst recent injustices and unrest, Instagram illustrators are using their works to support activists and to call attention to Black victims of racist violence.

By Farah Javed, CUNY Baruch College

As demonstrations in response to George Floyd’s death continue globally, entertainers are participating in the movement by donating and marching.

By Imani Benberry, Columbia University

Your online presence is an important tool for demonstrating support for black voices.

By Madelyn Haasken, Bemidji State University

With popular trends like the ‘back profile challenge’ and ‘what I eat in a day’ videos, the social media app is encouraging body image negativity.

By Kate Carter, Middle Tennessee State University

White walls, sleek design, plants and neutral color schemes are all hallmarks of the style, but what happens once we get tired of it all?

By Kayla Johnson, Bradley University

Using the small publishing platform, the ‘After’ author was able to make a name for herself — and at the same time, raise the possibility that others could do the same.

By Daniel Reed

If you’re running a business or side hustle, those followers don’t mean anything if they’re not buying something.

By Kaelani Ramirez, Arizona State University

The digital symbols have had a huge impact on the way we communicate, whether we like it or not.

By Daniel Reed

What are people actually doing when they’re on their computers or smartphones?

By Sarah Stager, University of Pittsburgh

When there’s nothing better to do, journaling could be the perfect way to pass time and release your inner anxieties.

By Asha MacKay, Wellesley College

Teens being stuck inside with their phones for weeks on end is a recipe for disaster — or a few unique social media hashtags.

By Kaelani Ramirez, Arizona State University

It’s changed the way we grieve and share condolences, but that may not always be a good thing.

By Ian Nordin, University of Texas at San Antonio

You have all the information you could ever want at your fingertips. It’s easy to become obsessed with so much power.

By Mirella Gonzales, Texas Tech University

These products aren’t as harmless as influencers make them seem.

By Janani Mangai Srinivasan, Wake Forest University

The three letters — two u’s that indicate closed eyes and a ‘w’ for a bashful smile — captures a warm and fuzzy facial expressions that’s spread to all corners of the internet.

By Kaelani Ramirez, Arizona State University

Digital ghost towns seem to provide more comfort than when they were at their peak.