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The Influence of Social Media Misinformation: Understanding Online Trends Affecting Mental and Physical Health
In the News Evie Sun In the News Evie Sun

The Influence of Social Media Misinformation: Understanding Online Trends Affecting Mental and Physical Health

Research has recently found that women’s decisions about taking birth control are often being guided by misinformation spread on apps such as TikTok or Instagram. This recent surge in misinformation highlights the importance of digital literacy. How does social media misinformation impact physical and mental health on the greater scale?

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The Impact of Technology on Our Epidemic of Loneliness
Explainers Evie Sun Explainers Evie Sun

The Impact of Technology on Our Epidemic of Loneliness

In May of 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General found that about half of U.S. adults experience measurable levels of loneliness. Digital technology may play a role. Science shows that activities such as viewing feedback are associated with activation in areas of the brain linked to social rewards, and external comparison can lead to greater rates of loneliness.

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Longitudinal fMRI scans of high vs low technology users
Our Research Ben Silver Our Research Ben Silver

Longitudinal fMRI scans of high vs low technology users

While social media and screen time are often singled out as major causal factors in the ongoing adolescent mental health crisis, research performed to date does not offer a clear or even consistent picture of the relationships. Comprehensively indexing the environments of children and adolescents, alongside patterns of technology use, will shed light on observed changes in development, both behaviorally and neurally.

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Impact of technology use on sleep
Our Research Ben Silver Our Research Ben Silver

Impact of technology use on sleep

A substantial body of research has long demonstrated that sleep is essential for physical and mental health. Recently, digital technology has emerged as one of the leading hypothesized causes of poor sleep, in terms of duration and quality. Our study will extend the robust body of work on how development and mental health are impacted by technology use by investigating the differential impact on sleep.

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fNIRS and physiological measures when interacting online
Our Research Kathryn Lockwood Our Research Kathryn Lockwood

fNIRS and physiological measures when interacting online

There has long been an acknowledgment that social interactions are critical for mental and physical health, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and overall well-being. In the digital era, however, the nature of human interaction has evolved, and this has sparked scientific interest in understanding the implications of change. Online interaction, driven by technological advancements, has undoubtedly changed the way we connect, often replacing traditional face-to-face communication. However, there's a trend towards increased feelings of loneliness. Despite devices intended to enhance our sociability, the irony is that many individuals are so absorbed in them that they end up more alone. This study aims to delve into how technology has impacted social interaction, and how Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) offers a unique lens to study this phenomenon.

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Facebook and Campus Mental Health
Research Highlights Ben Silver Research Highlights Ben Silver

Facebook and Campus Mental Health

Research published in 2022 by Braghieri and colleagues demonstrates a decline in mental health of student populations after the introduction of Facebook, represented in the figure by the vertical dotted line. The different colored bars begin to move upwards after the dotted line, indicating a decline in mental health.

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Tolerance of Uncertainty
Explainers Lila Spiro Explainers Lila Spiro

Tolerance of Uncertainty

People who are intolerant of uncertainty are also more afraid of anxiety. Intolerance of Uncertainty has long been linked with increased worry and anxiety, resulting in higher risk for anxiety and other emotional disorders.

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