Social Media + Society
Scope & Guideline
Unpacking the Influence of Social Media on Our Lives
Introduction
Aims and Scopes
- Social Media and Identity Construction:
Research exploring how social media platforms facilitate identity formation, self-presentation, and the negotiation of personal and collective identities across various demographics. - Political Communication and Activism:
Investigations into social media's role in political discourse, activism, and public engagement, analyzing how online platforms influence political behavior and mobilization. - Mental Health and Well-Being:
Studies examining the impact of social media use on mental health, including both positive and negative effects, and how online interactions influence emotional well-being. - Disinformation and Misinformation:
Research focused on the spread of false information through social media, its implications for public opinion, trust in media, and strategies for combating misinformation. - Cultural Practices and Community Building:
Exploration of how social media fosters community, cultural practices, and social norms, including the role of memes, hashtags, and digital storytelling. - Digital Governance and Platform Dynamics:
Analysis of the governance structures of social media platforms, including content moderation, algorithmic biases, and the implications for user agency and freedom of expression.
Trending and Emerging
- Intersectionality in Social Media Studies:
An increasing focus on how social media intersects with various social identities, including race, gender, and sexuality, emphasizing the importance of diverse narratives and experiences. - Mental Health Narratives and Support:
Research exploring the role of social media in mental health discussions and support networks, particularly during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the platform's potential for fostering community and resilience. - Influencer Culture and Digital Economy:
A growing interest in the impact of influencers on consumer behavior, political discourse, and cultural trends, reflecting broader shifts in marketing and communication strategies. - Digital Activism and Social Movements:
Emerging studies on how social media facilitates grassroots activism, particularly in response to social justice movements, showcasing the platform's role in mobilizing support and awareness. - Algorithmic Accountability and Ethics:
An increasing emphasis on the ethical implications of algorithms that govern social media interactions, including concerns about bias, misinformation, and the need for transparency in platform governance. - Technological Integration and Hybrid Spaces:
Research focusing on the convergence of social media with other technologies (e.g., AI, VR) and how these integrations create new forms of interaction and community engagement.
Declining or Waning
- Traditional Media Comparisons:
Research comparing social media to traditional media has seen a decrease, possibly due to the growing integration of social media into mainstream communication channels and the diminishing relevance of traditional media in certain contexts. - Basic User Engagement Metrics:
Studies focusing on simplistic engagement metrics (likes, shares) are waning, as there is a shift toward more nuanced analyses of user behavior and interaction dynamics. - Geographic and Cultural Specificity:
Research that primarily examines social media phenomena in isolated geographic or cultural contexts is becoming less prevalent, as there is an increasing emphasis on global interconnectedness and comparative studies. - Nostalgic Narratives of Early Social Media:
Discussions centered around the early days of social media and its initial impacts are declining, as the focus shifts to current trends and future implications. - Platform-Specific Studies:
Research that solely concentrates on individual platforms without considering cross-platform dynamics is becoming less common, as scholars recognize the need for comprehensive analyses that account for user behavior across multiple platforms.
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