Department of Communication Content

Muhammad Haroon on How Social Media Algorithms Can Foster Political Radicalization

Soterios J Johnson — December 13, 2022 - 12:24am

A new study from �ٺ��Ƶ suggests that artificial intelligence recommendation algorithms on sites like YouTube and TikTok can play a role in political radicalization. In this episode, �ٺ��Ƶ computer science Ph.D. student Muhammad Haroon, who led the study, discusses how the study was designed, what the team found, and a new digital tool they created to mitigate the radicalizing effect of social media platform AI algorithms.

AI: A Tectonic Shift in Human Society

Andy Fell — October 08, 2024 - 3:59pm

The first time most people could communicate with a computer that responded like a real person was in 2022 when OpenAI publicly launched ChatGPT. Just two months later, the app set the record for the fastest-growing user base with 100 million monthly active users.

YouTube Video Recommendations Lead to More Extremist Content for Right-Leaning Users, Researchers Suggest

Karen Michele Nikos — December 13, 2023 - 11:30am

YouTube tends to recommend videos that are similar to what people have already watched. New research has found that those recommendations can lead users down a rabbit hole of extremist political content.

Disney Princesses Can Be Good for a Child’s Self-Image, �ٺ��Ƶ Researchers Suggest

Karen Michele Nikos — September 07, 2023 - 1:00pm

A recent study showed favorite princess can improve children's confidence.

To Combat Life’s Stress, People Seek Negative Entertainment

Karen Michele Nikos — June 13, 2023 - 11:00am

When the day is filled with news of mass shootings, police malfeasance and “me too” courtroom escapades, people turn to entertainment media, where they watch — as it turns out — more negativity, a new University of California, Davis, study suggests.

What Happens With Twitter Now?

Karen Michele Nikos — December 07, 2022 - 1:45pm

Two �ٺ��Ƶ researchers who are experts in social media talk about the changes in Twitter ownership and what that means for consumers.

Online Learning in COVID-19 Detrimental to Teen Mental Health, School Satisfaction, Performance

Karen Michele Nikos — November 30, 2022 - 9:30am

The unprecedented shutdown of classroom learning caused undue stress, low levels of social inclusion and low satisfaction with school for many — and mental health issues for some.

Has Social Media Discourse Affected People’s Hesitancy to Get Vaccinated Against COVID?

Karen Michele Nikos — September 21, 2022 - 10:30am

Researchers from �ٺ��Ƶ looked at how the politically polarized nature of COVID-19 information, and misinformation, on social media has given rise to anxiety, sadness, anger and hostility that feeds incivility.

COVID-19 Beliefs Influenced by Politicians, Not Scientists, Researchers Suggest

Karen Michele Nikos — March 09, 2022 - 9:20am

As COVID-19 upended societal norms when it swept through the United States in 2020, a second pandemic — or “infodemic”— was also on the rise.

When It Comes to Reporting on Sexual Assault in Media, Words Matter

Karen Michele Nikos — September 28, 2021 - 9:15am

Someone on your favorite sports team is accused of date rape. A local city council candidate is charged in the sexual assault of a co-worker. Accusations surface about coaches of a gymnastics team.

These stories appear in traditional media every day.