Search

Legacy media contribute to gendered depictions of culinary themes by associating meat with masculinity, influencing social realities. The current research examines whether similar gendered representations can be found on social media, reinforcing gendered patterns in food consumption. Using content analysis, we examine how men and women tweet about the (non-)consumption of meat. Results confirm gender stereotypes: men tweet more about meat and are more likely to hold negative attitudes toward vegetarianism and veganism. These expressions may reinforce gendered meat consumption patterns, where men continue to choose meat over more healthy and sustainable options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dementia represents one of the largest and most urgent public health problems across the globe. Modeling projections have estimated that delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by 6 months would reduce the prevalence by 5%, while a delay of 12 months would reduce the prevalence by 10%. One approach to achieving a delay in the onset of AD is to investigate lifestyle interventions that could be widely implemented with a favorable risk-benefit relationship and socioeconomic profile. Amongst such interventions, there is increasing evidence to support the use of ketogenic interventions in AD. Indeed, it is well known that cerebral glucose metabolism is impaired in AD, even at a preclinical stage, and a growing body of literature suggests that these findings may represent a primary pathogenic mechanism leading to neurodegeneration. Ketones are readily taken up by the brain and can serve as an alternative energy source for neurons and glia, hypothetically bypassing the glucose uptake deficit in AD. In this invited review we discuss the preclinical as well as clinical work aiming to increase ketones as a primary intervention in AD, including variations of the ketogenic diet, medium chain triglyceride supplementation, and newer, more experimental approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates why women in Southern Italy are attracted to Turkish TV serials, which may seem culturally distant at first glance. By conducting semi-structured interviews with 30 women, the research aims to uncover the specific elements of Turkish serials that resonate with these women. The findings reveal that participants appreciate the portrayal of strong, independent female characters in Turkish serials, which challenge their preconceptions about Muslim women and foster a sense of shared human experiences across cultures. The romantic ideals depicted, without overt sexualization, and the subtle reinforcement of traditional gender roles, align with the viewers' cultural values, offering a comforting blend of familiarity and novelty. Additionally, the high production values and aesthetically pleasing depiction of Turkish settings and lifestyles enhance the appeal. These serials not only entertain but also prompt audiences to reflect on their own cultural and feminist issues. This study highlights the intricate dynamics of cross-cultural media consumption and its impact on cultural perceptions and viewer engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted on a sample of 447 adults in Spain who recorded their digital consumption habits upon waking up in the morning, still in bed. The analysis instrument included a total of 67 parameters related to the device, content consulted, and perceived cost-opportunity, which involved 29,949 open-ended responses. The results demonstrate that, upon waking, individuals utilise their mobile devices to access WhatsApp, the alarm application, and Instagram, thereby compromising their sleep time, improving their organisational skills, initiating the day with a sense of calm and composure, and engaging in physical exercise. It is imperative that society integrates attention economy and digital self-criticism as educommunicative practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies show Republicans have lower risk perceptions of COVID-19 than Democrats. Has this gap in risk perception been consistent throughout the course of the pandemic? Using longitudinal data from the Understanding America Study's Understanding Coronavirus in America longitudinal panel survey, we examine how time and vaccination status have changed Republican and Democratic risk perceptions of engaging in various activities (such as grocery shopping, visiting friends and family etc.) as well as risk perceptions of infection, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19. We find that while Republicans have lowered their perceived risk of activity more than Democrats over time, vaccinated Democrats have lowered their perceived risk of infection, hospitalization, and death more than vaccinated Republicans. These results are robust to inclusion of media consumption and social media use. This divergence on the two measures of risk from COVID-19 may complicate leaders' efforts to move on from the politics of the pandemic toward a return to "normal." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting science, math, engineering, and technology (STEM) skills for young children provides foundation for and interest in later STEM learning, making early childhood an important time to develop these competencies. Young children also spend increasing amounts of time with media, and thus it is important to understand if children are accessing STEM content and what factors may determine this access. The current survey study of parents of three- to seven-year olds assesses how parents' science self-efficacy and parents' scientific literacy relate to children's STEM media use. Results demonstrate positive relations between parent self-efficacy and child STEM media use (aligned with self-efficacy theory), but results also demonstrate no significant relation between parent scientific literacy and child STEM media use. We conclude that parent self-efficacy is an important social susceptibility for young children's STEM media use and that future research should continue exploring potential interventions for promoting parents' self-efficacy related to teaching their children science. Impact Summary: Prior State of Knowledge: Little research has examined the relations between parents' perceived beliefs that they can teach their children science and children's engagement with STEM media. Children spend increasing time with media; thus, we should understand how to leverage this time for learning. Novel Contributions: The current study demonstrates that parents' beliefs that they can teach their children science are positively associated with children's STEM media use. However, parents' scientific literacy was not associated with children's STEM media use. Practical Implications: To get children to use more STEM media, interventions should focus on parents' beliefs that they can teach their children STEM concepts, such as science. Parents influence children's media use, and intervening with parents can help shape children's media diets in positive ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines how Israelis used dual screening during two parallel violent conflicts in May 2021: the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas, and Arab-Jewish clashes within Israel. Based on a survey of 400 Israelis conducted during the crisis, it maps the news platforms and identifies the variables shaping dual screening. Though consumption patterns were the same for both conflicts, news consumption was less intensive for internal riots than for external military operations. The analysis revealed that fear and integrative needs predicted dual screening in both cases, while diversion and cognitive needs did not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Audiovisual content, including movies, series, and social networking videos, play a crucial role in the personal and social development of college students, underscoring the importance of understanding their impact on student well-being. This study aimed to identify trends that contribute to the development of educational strategies and guidelines that improve the psychological health of the student community. A sample of 601 students, aged 16 to 27 years, was analyzed using self-esteem and audiovisual media consumption questionnaires. The results reveal that moderate and selective consumption of content, especially movies, is associated with higher self-esteem. On the contrary, excessive consumption and preference for certain contents, such as series, are associated with lower self-esteem. These results underscore the importance of conscious media consumption, urging students to select content that promotes their emotional heal [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article uses the construct of the Second Persona to understand the evangelical Christian rhetorical culture constructed by evangelical celebrities via Instagram. As informal authorities, evangelical celebrities are unique figures. Understanding their media use in constructing an ideal evangelical auditor provides an assessment of evangelical culture and posits an "Evangelical Second Persona" characterized by a familiarity with media, a reiteration of evangelical media consumption, an emphasis on family and class success, and the primacy of decentralized celebrity figures. This analysis shows the utility of persona criticism in understanding the ongoing constitution of evangelical rhetorical culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The notion of "chilling effects" is not new, but several theoretical and empirical gaps remain. Existing evidence of chilling effects lies primarily in social media consumption rather than production behaviors. Do Chinese content creators consciously experience chilling effects? What do creators do when they perceive chilling effects? This study helps to answer these questions by exploring chilling effects among 32 content creators on Chinese social media. Through in-depth interviews, this work proposes a model of chilling effects for content creators, including (a) the three major influencing factors, (b) the four manifestations of chilling effects, and (c) the presentation of chilling and anti-chilling effects. The results indicate that the influencing factors of content creators' chilling effects are extremely complex and cannot be attributed solely to political factors in China. Instead, the impacts of platform capitalism, data surveillance, and personal factors should be emphasized. Furthermore, creators have taken a series of anti-chilling effects measures to minimize the conflicts between chilling effects and freedom of creation so that they can remain stable, profitable, and creative. This is one of the first studies investigating chilling effects among content creators in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reach of illiberal international propaganda outlets rests on citizens in democratic countries as recipients and potential disseminators. However, little research has scrutinised the audiences for such platforms. Why do audiences in democratic states consume content from such outlets, and how far do they actually align with it ideologically? The present research seeks to address this gap. Building on and extending the recent research findings of a large-scale survey, interviews with Swedish media consumers were conducted between 23 March and 13 April 2022, providing a unique close-up on a group of media consumers who stated that they consumed, among other alternative media, the Russian state-sponsored media outlets RT and Sputnik as part of their media diet. The findings, elicited through interviews and the Q-sort method, challenge previous research that presents this audience in a one-dimensional way. First, we investigate their alignment with different political narratives, identifying three different profiles. Although only one profile generally aligned with the RT/Sputnik messaging, almost all the participants appreciate the content and share it on social media. Secondly, we examine their rationale for consumption, revealing a diverse array of motivations, and leading us to theorise four distinct consumption profiles: Distant Observers, Reluctant Consumers, Media Nihilists and Establishment Critics. We interpret these results and discuss their broader implications, before reflecting on the complexities of characterising audiences consuming authoritarian international broadcasting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heroism serves as the banner showcasing the sublime spirit of the Chinese nation, and constructing a societal identity rooted in heroism is a crucial reference for the successful continuation of heroism in the new era. Moreover, media consumption plays a pivotal role in influencing public identification with heroism. From the perspective of cultivation theory, this study surveyed 511 respondents nationwide, utilizing quantitative measurements and empirical analysis through linear regression equations. The results indicate that there is a significant positive correlation between the media usage of the Chinese public and their social identification with heroism, impacting cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions differently. Additionally, traditional media is the main force in shaping this identification. Concurrently, there are evident generational differences in the public's heroic social identity, with the memory of heroes in the new media era showing a trend of "intergenerational decline." Future research should explore how to effectively use media to transmit the spirit of heroism and promote value integration. This includes optimizing media content, formats, and communication strategies to meet the needs of different audiences and enhancing the public's deep understanding and recognition of heroism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is an audience ethnography, focusing on the documentary The Work (dir Jairus McLeary and Gethin Aldous, US, 2017), which depicts a four-day therapeutic programme involving men from the community and men from a high security prison. The film was screened to audiences of people who live and work in an English prison-based therapeutic community. Previous prison-based audience studies have highlighted the significance of the media text and the characteristics and experiences of the audience, but have not specifically addressed the salience of the context in which the media is consumed. By conducting the research in an atypical penal environment, the intention is to illuminate how consumption is affected by different penal contexts. The audience offered macro, meso and micro level responses to the documentary. At a macro level, they recognised the reforming intentions of the film, but also revealed the limitations of popular culture, with its emphasis on spectacle. At a meso level, the audience offered a sophisticated and expert analysis of the content and omissions of the film's representation of therapeutic processes and cultures. At a micro level, those serving prison sentences used the content of film as therapeutic material, reflecting on their own emotions and experiences, while the prison staff used the content to explore their professional identities. The audiences viewed the film through a therapeutic habitus, and media consumption was a way of enacting and reinforcing the expectations and practices of therapeutic community life. By highlighting the salience and variability of penal contexts, the study extends prison-based audience scholarship, but also highlights a factor that should be considered in the planning and design of media and arts programmes in prison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Students who complete this assignment will participate in a five-day phone fast. They will not use their phones for five full days, and they will keep a journal about their experiences. Students will reflect on how their mobile phone usage impacts their social relationships, media consumption, and social media use. Each day, students complete a journal entry to keep a record of their fast. Following the fast, students share their experiences with classmates. Courses: Basic Course, Introduction to Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Media Courses (e.g. Social/Digital Media, Mass Communication, etc.). Objective: Raising awareness of one's relationship with mobile phones, media consumption, social relationships, and social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Initial studies of the COVID-19 pandemic's emotional toll indicated different outcomes based on partisanship and media consumption. This study builds on prior research by utilizing a broad set of measures to test how (1) political party affiliation, (2) trust in President Trump, (3) news media sources, and (4) distrust in the media's portrayal of the pandemic impacted self-ascribed increases in negative emotions during the later stages of the pandemic. Using original data from a national survey conducted in the early months of 2021, we confirm that news media and partisanship played a key role in Americans' perceived increases in psychological distress. Specifically, we find that Democrats were more likely than Republicans to report increased worry and loneliness due to the pandemic. Viewers of CNN were also more likely to disclose increased worry, loneliness, and sadness than Fox News viewers. But both of these findings were related to and mitigated by issues of trust and distrust. In particular, trust that the Trump administration effectively responded to the pandemic was strongly associated with emotional stability above and beyond partisan differences. In addition, distrust of "mainstream media" coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic was linked with lower odds of increased negative emotions due to the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the determinants of the obsessive view of mukbang autonomous sensory meridian response (Mukbang ASMR) and examines the moderation role of intertemporal choice and the mediating effect of mediated voyeurism among university students in Malaysia. A quantitative survey was conducted with 408 university students in Malaysia who viewed mukbang channel(s) often on social media. PLS-SEM is adopted to examine the associated paths and effects. The results demonstrate the significant impact of alienation and novelty, vicarious satisfaction, companionship and loneliness on mukbang ASMR obsession. Mediated voyeurism intervenes the effects of alienation and novelty on mukbang ASMR and intertemporal choice positively moderates the relationship between companionship and loneliness and mukbang ASMR. This study constructs a model to estimate Mukbang ASMR obsession by identifying specific motives and relationships among key factors, highlighting loneliness as the most effective determinant of mukbang ASMR among Malaysian younger generation. Research results provide an extended understanding of the mukbang ASMR, offering valuable insights in the areas of lifestyle, social well-being, and social media consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Citizens are expected to make informed voting decisions. Theoretical approaches suggest that people are most likely to acquire their political knowledge through media. As more people turn to social media as a source of news, the political knowledge gains from using these technologies are called into question. Previous research has shown that rather than increasing objective political knowledge, the use of social media for news only increases people's metacognitive sense of being knowledgeable (subjective knowledge), which in turn increases their political participation. However, it remains to be understood which particular forms of social media use, e.g., incidental or intentional news exposure, are related to which dimension of political knowledge. The present work examines (a) the extent to which different motivational forms of social media news consumption foster subjective knowledge, and (b) whether this metacognition is related not only to political participation as a broad concept, but also to specific democratic outcomes such as voting intentions. Methods and results: Results from a pre-registered, pre-election survey (N = 1,223) of social media users show that intentional news seeking, but not incidental news exposure on social media, is directly related to increased subjective knowledge. Subjective knowledge appears to explain the relationship between social media news use and voting. Discussion: By showing that incidental and intentional social media news use affect subjective knowledge differently, this study provides preliminary and nuanced insights into the ultimate role that social media technologies can play in democratic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between partisan media consumption and changes in democratic values during the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. By integrating self-reported news consumption data with the partisan slant of news outlets, we explore how different media environments shape voters' attitudes about democracy. Our analysis of a two-wave panel survey conducted before and after the election reveals significant changes in democratic values among general voters, including both Biden and Trump supporters. The findings also highlight the complex effects of a polarized media ecosystem on political beliefs, demonstrating that partisan media flow influences democratic values beyond the traditional winner-loser dichotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Social media is replete with malicious and unempathetic rhetoric yet few studies explain why these emotions are publicly dispersed. The purpose of the study is to investigate how the intergroup counter-empathic response called schadenfreude originates and how it prompts media consumption and engagement. Design/methodology/approach: The study consists of two field surveys of 635 in-group members of two professional sports teams and 300 residents of California and Texas with political party affiliations. The analysis uses SEM quantitative methods. Findings: Domain passion and group identification together determine the harmonious/obsessive tendencies of passion for an activity and explain the schadenfreude response toward the rival out-group. Group identification is a stronger driver of obsessive passion compared to harmonious passion. Schadenfreude directly influences the use of traditional media (TV, radio, domain websites), it triggers social media engagement (posting), and it accelerates harmonious passion's effects on social media posting. Research limitations/implications: The study is limited by the groups used to evaluate the research model, sports, and politics. Social implications: The more highly identified and passionate group members experience greater counter-empathy toward a rival. At extreme levels of group identification, obsessive passion increases at an increasing rate and may characterize extremism. Harboring feelings of schadenfreude toward the out-group prompts those with harmonious passion for an activity to more frequently engage on social media in unempathetic ways. Originality/value: This study links the unempathetic, yet common emotion of schadenfreude with passion, intergroup dynamics, and media behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the micro and macro effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy have been investigated in the past two years. Few studies have examined COVID disinformation in non-Western countries. India produced the most social media disinformation, probably due to its high internet penetration, increased social media consumption, and low internet literacy (Al-Zaman, 2022a). To quantify the influence of disinformation on pandemic response, this study used mixed methods. The variables were examined through in-depth interviews. As they use digital media more than others, participants under 40 provided quantifiable data (The Future of India Foundation. (2022). Politics of disinformation: Why the current approaches are geared to fail and possible path forward. Retrieved from https://futureofindia.in/reports). It is mainly collected from metro cities of India. Moderation analysis using PLS-SEM examined whether self-perceived media literacy moderates the link between fake social media news and COVID-19 anxiety. The study findings have been linked to the theoretical foundation, the availability heuristic. This study holds significance as its implications will be beneficial in tackling the challenges associated with misinformation and its influence on response to pandemics that might be experienced in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns over the existence of a global "information disorder" marked by the contamination of the public sphere with deception campaigns have grown in recent years. This "disorder" has domestic and international dimensions, with multiple state actors standing accused of malicious influence abroad. Previous research, focused on the Global North, has neglected the potential role of anti-colonial and anti-imperialist sentiments in shaping public opinion in the Global South, where problems with foreign influence operations have persisted for decades. Using survey data (N  = 4,613) collected in Angola, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Zambia in late 2022, this paper addresses this knowledge gap by exploring the relationship between individuals' worldviews and news consumption, and their support of strategic disinformation narratives favored by Russia and China, both of which have been active in trying to use the news media to influence public opinion. At a country level, we find that support for these narratives is most pronounced in Ethiopia and South Africa, while at an individual level, we find limited evidence that news consumption is connected to the adoption of these narratives. In discussing these findings, we argue that African public opinion is simultaneously shaped by global, geopolitical shifts and domestic, and local contestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An economic model of news contends that the pressures of limited column space and market competition force media actors to be strategic concerning which notable events receive exhaustive coverage, if any at all. Applying this framework to the Supreme Court can explain why coverage of the Justices' decision-making has historically been sensationalized and reserved for decisions sure to have a pronounced effect on public discourse. However, the emergence of social media as a practical alternative for mass media dissemination raises notable questions, chief among them being whether the economic framework fully extends to this newer medium. In this study, I analyze media coverage of the Court's decisions using Twitter and observe important distinctions among environments for news dissemination. I argue that the apparent reduction in the economic costs associated with coverage dissemination and consumption on social media platforms like Twitter requires viewing Supreme Court news in these environments through an amended theoretical framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zoom became a critical part of media consumption in the COVID-19 pandemic's early lockdown months, appearing in everything from education to the nightly news to reality television. How did Zoom produce a new screen world that made everyday life look like TV? This essay examines how Zoom has figured on and as TV, focusing on it as a means to comment upon and also craft one's own mise-en-scène. What might Zoom TV offer to our understanding of participatory media and of the racialized, gendered, and classed features of both television and everyday life? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate and study the semantic implications of girls' clothing after media consumption based on the explanatory data base. The purpose of this research is to explain the semantic model of clothing for girls in Tehran. The findings of this qualitative study were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 21 young girls in Tehran because this young part of the society plays an important role in giving meaning to the models of clothing in the society. The average age of these girls was 19 to 33 years old, and the findings were analyzed using the database procedure and related coding procedures. Exploratory findings showed that various factors are effective in the formation of the central category i.e., "body as symbolic capital" and background factors such as "aestheticism and perfectionism, body and clothes as aesthetic objects, ideal self-expression" are also among the factors influencing the choice of style. It is women's clothing; On the other hand, causal and interventional factors such as "fashion prominence in identity giving, popularization of fashion, production of modernity and continuous birth of culture, model and consumer culture" influence this process. Analytical findings also indicated that women's strategy and strategies in this field are placed in two categories: "disobedience and civil disobedience by choosing abnormal clothing patterns and religious conformity by choosing cultural and ideological patterns". Finally, the sum of these strategies brings results such as "reducing the meaning of hijab, increasing social challenges and weakening the social requirements of covering". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between media consumption and identity changes. In other words, it tries to study the interaction of identity dimensions on each other and their relationship with the amount of media consumption. This applied research, which is of a descriptive-causal type, was conducted with a survey method (cross-sectional type) and used the standard questionnaire tool of Selgi et al. (2014) to collect data. The statistical population of four centers of Oramanat region in Kermanshah, which was obtained using multi-stage cluster sampling method and according to Cochran's formula, the sample size was 384 people. The findings show that in the correlation matrix of the four dimensions of identity, there is a direct and significant relationship between ethnic and national identity and religious identity. Also, this relationship between religious identity and global identity is inverse and significant. The relationship between national identity and consumption of national media (TV) is positive, and between this dimension of identity and consumption of Kurdish-language satellite channels is inverse. What is called ethnic identity has a direct and significant relationship with Kurdish-speaking satellites. Also, there is an inverse relationship between religious identity and the amount of use of Kurdish language satellites and a positive relationship with national television, and these two variables together explain about 7% of the changes in religious identity. Finally, modern identity has an inverse relationship with national television consumption and a positive and significant relationship with satellite, and these two variables predict about 5% of modern identity changes. Another result of this research is that in the hierarchy of identity, the ethnic identity of the respondents was the highest with an average of 4 and the modern identity was the lowest with an average of 3.88. In terms of identity preference, the respondents first of all considered themselves to be Muslim, then Kurdish and then Iranian. In terms of media consumption, the amount of use of official media such as television and provincial network by the respondents was very low and they heavily use virtual space and new social networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of disinformation raises serious questions for society, affecting public trust and democratic stability. In this context, an attempt is made to configure a profile of the practices of identification and fight against disinformation, assess the incidence of social networks, and identify citizens' perceptions of media literacy in Ecuador. The methodology used is quantitative and qualitative, with a descriptive approach, using a survey, interviews with experts, and focus groups. The converging points between experts and citizens are the need to develop media literacy processes that begin in basic education and the institutionalisation of the fight against disinformation, which should be assumed through an articulation between citizens and schools. On the other hand, training to identify fake news is directly related to information verification practices. Likewise, statistical evidence shows that Ecuadorians who verify information perceive themselves as fully informed citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid adoption of online streaming and over-the-top services has fundamentally changed at-home entertainment media consumption and given rise to new behaviors which are often characterized by a high intensity of watching (e.g., binge-watching). In this paper, we investigate how the watching intensity affects consumers' engagement with media franchises in two areas: personal and interactive engagement. The former involves consumers' adoption and consumption of franchise extensions and the latter concerns consumers' content generation related to a focal media product they watched. Using individual-level data from an online anime (Japanese cartoons) platform, we find inverse U-shaped effects of watching intensity with the largest effects around three to five hours of watching per day on personal engagement and two to four hours a day on interactive engagement. The positive effects of watching intensity are larger for sequels than other types of franchise extensions. For interactive engagement, our results show that conditional on rating submission, higher watching intensity is associated with higher valence of anime ratings, the most prevalent form of UGC on the platform. We interpret this result as evidence that watching intensity can induce liking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objective: Even though global childhood obesity rates keep increasing, stabilization has been shown over the past decade in several countries, including Switzerland. We aimed to investigate the trends in childhood overweight and obesity over the past 21 years in Switzerland and to identify the associated risk factors. Methods: Using cluster sampling, we recruited a national sample of 6–12-year-old children in Switzerland (n = 1245). We conducted anthropometric measurements and assessed risk factors using a self-administered questionnaire. We investigated the time trend by including data from four comparable previous surveys conducted since 2002. Results: We found a prevalence of overweight, including obesity, of 16.1 (14.1–18.2)%, with a significantly higher proportion in boys (18.6 (15.5–21.6)%) compared to girls (13.7 (11.0–16.4)%). We found a small but significant reduction in the prevalence of overweight including obesity over time (p = 0.005), but not of obesity alone (p = 0.099). The most important risk factors for obesity were parental education, parental origin, media consumption, as well as several dietary factors. Conclusions: Despite a slight decreasing trend in childhood overweight in Switzerland, it remains a public health concern. Prevention programs should focus on migrant families and those with low education and emphasize the risks of sedentary behavior and the importance of a healthy diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Can linguistic diversity in the media impede state language proficiency? In this paper, we test the extent to which the availability of minority languages in the media affects state language proficiency for ethnic minorities. We take advantage of an exogeneous development: The rapid expansion of Budapest-originating media outside Hungary in the mid-2000s transformed the media landscape in neighbouring states. Using an original survey data of ethnic Hungarians in minority regions in four Central-Eastern European states over two waves, we find (1) the availability of minority language media means minorities are consuming less media in the state language, which in turn induces low levels of state language proficiency – i.e. through an exogeneous exposure mechanism; and (2) minorities with weaker state language proficiency choose to consume minority language media – i.e. through an endogenous selection mechanism. The results suggest a strong relationship between the language of media consumption and linguistic proficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade, we have witnessed increasing knowledge production on populism at the level of individuals. However, the systematization of these studies' conclusions is still scarce. There is also little research on the relationship between populism and education. Based on a systematic literature review, this article contributes to this by first focusing on what studies have revealed about the relationship between populist attitudes and socioeconomic, political, emotional characteristics and media-related preferences. Based on predefined criteria and a double-screening process, our literature search led to the selection of 68 studies focused on populist attitudes. The analysis of these articles enables us to understand that populist attitudes (i) are influenced by socioeconomic characteristics; (ii) have a nuanced relationship with politics; (iii) are driven by emotional dimensions; and (iv) are associated with diverse views about the media and media consumption preferences. We discuss the main findings of this systematic literature review and point out possible educational responses to individual populist standpoints according to their various causes, particularly in terms of the role of political and media education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study, conducted in Germany and Israel in May 2022, compares German and Israeli news media consumption concerning the Russian–Ukrainian war using a structured online questionnaire. A total of 1,310 and 509 valid questionnaires were completed in Germany and Israel, respectively, examining differences in how news consumers used media to access information. Specifically, objective and subjective proximity to Ukraine and Ukrainians, interest in politics and media perceptions were examined as potential predictors of use patterns of various media. For most variables, Germans and Israelis similarly sought news about the war, especially in mainstream news media. In Israel, objective and subjective proximities to Ukraine were the most significant predictors for consuming mainstream news media, with interest in politics and media trust being less important. In Germany, the latter factors predicted mainstream news media consumption more strongly than ties and subjective proximity, while trust in the mainstream media was not a significant predictor. Finally, the authors found that the lower the trust in mainstream media, the larger the volume of social media consumption about the war. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online platforms have a wealth of data, run countless experiments, and use industrial-scale algorithms to optimize user experience. Despite this, many users seem to regret the time they spend on these platforms. One possible explanation is that incentives are misaligned: platforms are not optimizing for user happiness. We suggest the problem runs deeper, transcending the specific incentives of any particular platform, and instead stems from a mistaken foundational assumption. To understand what users want, platforms look at what users do. This is a kind of revealed-preference assumption that is ubiquitous in the way user models are built. Yet research has demonstrated, and personal experience affirms, that we often make choices in the moment that are inconsistent with what we actually want. The behavioral economics and psychology literatures suggest, for example, that we can choose mindlessly or that we can be too myopic in our choices, behaviors that feel entirely familiar on online platforms. In this work, we develop a model of media consumption where users have inconsistent preferences. We consider a platform which wants to maximize user utility, but only observes behavioral data in the form of the user's engagement. We show how our model of users' preference inconsistencies produces phenomena that are familiar from everyday experience but difficult to capture in traditional user interaction models. These phenomena include users who have long sessions on a platform but derive very little utility from it, and platform changes that steadily raise user engagement before abruptly causing users to go "cold turkey" and quit. A key ingredient in our model is a formulation for how platforms determine what to show users: they optimize over a large set of potential content (the content manifold) parametrized by underlying features of the content. Whether improving engagement improves user welfare depends on the direction of movement in the content manifold: For certain directions of change, increasing engagement makes users less happy, whereas in other directions on the same manifold, increasing engagement makes users happier. We provide a characterization of the structure of content manifolds for which increasing engagement fails to increase user utility. By linking these effects to abstractions of platform design choices, our model thus creates a theoretical framework and vocabulary in which to explore interactions between design, behavioral science, and social media. This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics and decision analysis. Funding: This work was supported by the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship and Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative [Grant W911NF-19-0217]. Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.03683. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of integrating blogging practices into children’s television programs is considered as one of the factors for popularizing the latter among the younger generation. It is noted that children prefer entertaining online resources. It is shown that parents are concerned about their children’s immersion in the virtual sphere, the difficulty of controlling the information received, and the influence of popular bloggers on shaping children’s worldview. It is pointed out that resources for children under 13 are widely available on the Internet and television, while there are no such specialized resources for teenagers, particularly on central television. Meanwhile, the government has adopted a program document for the development of education for children and adolescents, in which a television channel for the latter could provide certain assistance. The author of the article proposes a working concept for a children’s television channel for teenagers, which integrates blogging practices. It is concluded that the synthesis of educational, developmental, and entertainment functions, involving child bloggers and the target audience in program development and hosting, organizing active feedback with the audience, and other factors will contribute to the channel’s success, provided there is government interest.

With the development and advancement of new technology and the increasing penetration of digital media, traditional media outlets such as TV, radio, and newspapers are not the only platforms for sports audiences to watch major events such as the Olympic Games. In this study, we explored how Chinese Olympic audiences embraced different media platforms to consume the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Through a survey of 383 Chinese participants, results revealed that social media, TV, and digital media were the most popular platforms on which to watch the 2020 Olympic Games. There were generational differences in media behaviors, motivations, and preferences between Generations X, Y, and Z. In addition, findings revealed that traditionally popular sports in China, such as badminton and table tennis, were still the most popular across different generations. Theoretical and practical implications for Chinese viewers are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores second screening behavior in Blantyre, Malawi, where individuals engage with secondary devices such as mobile phones or tablets while watching television. This study aims to uncover the motivations and gratifications behind second screen usage among Blantyre residents, offering insights into the convergence of digital and traditional media in everyday media practices and behavioral outcomes. Participants, aged between 15 and 79 years old, were selected through purposive sampling to ensure diversity across age, gender, and socio-economic status, residing in neighborhoods with high demographic representation such as Bangwe, Chilomoni, Manase, Manja, Mbayani, and Zingwangwa. Data collection included semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, focusing on participants' multi-screening habits, types of content consumed, and devices used. The study involved 10 in-depth interviews and 55 focus group participants, all of whom regularly used a mobile device with Internet access while watching television, providing a comprehensive exploration of electronic multi-screen consumption behaviors across different age groups in urban Blantyre. Results indicate that second screening behavior was prevalent among the study participants, demonstrating varied second screening characteristics. It is recommended that future research conduct a representative study to generalize these findings across the broader population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic sports (esports) have become one of the fastest-growing forms of new media. As a result, esports livestreaming media is a necessary medium for connecting viewers and esports livestreams. Drawing on the media richness theory, the purpose of the current study was to explore how livestreaming media attributes and viewers' individual characteristics (esports involvement) influence the viewer's experience (satisfaction and flow experience) and media loyalty. The results of a latent moderated structural equations (LMS) modeling analysis using a total of 568 viewers revealed that informativeness and convenience significantly influenced viewer satisfaction and flow experience, which in turn influenced media loyalty. Interestingly, interactivity was found to be a more important attribute for viewer satisfaction and flow experience among highly involved viewers while informativeness was an important attribute for less involved viewers. Furthermore, viewer satisfaction is pivotal in establishing media loyalty for less involved viewers, while flow experience is key for highly involved viewers. The findings of this research have theoretical implications for the literature on esports media and media consumption experiences and offer managers effective strategies for developing esports media loyalty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasocial relationships (PSRs), defined as one-sided relationships with media personas have grown in prevalence within the K-pop fandom in recent years, particularly for adolescents. This study utilizes an explanatory sequential mixed methods model to investigate the psychological impact of PSRs on adolescent K-pop fans. Adapting existing frameworks of PSR measurement, quantitative data was collected through an online survey sent to high school students aged 14-18, while qualitative data was collected through narrative interviews. the key findings revealed that PSRs developed by adolescent K-pop fans often lead to unhealthy emotional attachment and unre- alistic perceptions of beauty and interpersonal relationships, with social media acting as a mediator. Major psychological impacts identified include behavioral modifications, appearance insecurities, and emotional codependency, caused by extended exposure to misleading marketing techniques in K-pop. The study highlights the need for wider investigation of unhealthy standards perpetuated by the K-pop industry and the development of positive media consumption habits.

The phenomenon of disinformation raises serious questions for society, affecting public trust and democratic stability. In this context, an attempt is made to configure a profile of the practices of identification and fight against disinformation, assess the incidence of social networks, and identify citizens’ perceptions of media literacy in Ecuador. The methodology used is quantitative and qualitative, with a descriptive approach, using a survey, interviews with experts, and focus groups. The converging points between experts and citizens are the need to develop media literacy processes that begin in basic education and the institutionalisation of the fight against disinformation, which should be assumed through an articulation between citizens and schools. On the other hand, training to identify fake news is directly related to information verification practices. Likewise, statistical evidence shows that Ecuadorians who verify information perceive themselves as fully informed citizens.

The article analyses media consumption trends in Ukraine in 2022-2024, a hugely difficult time for the nation during the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine. During this time, both the consumers and the media had to adapt to new media conditions. The article analyzes the dynamics of media consumption in Ukraine during the last two years of the war in order to understand how extreme conditions in society affect the information environment, behavior, and psychological state of consumers. In the future, this will make it possible to develop effective strategies for media educational institutions and psychologists in shaping the conscious consumption of information and providing quality support to the individual in conditions of psychological crisis and emotional decline after contact with the media. The study’s results show that for the second year in a row, Ukrainians choose social networks and online media to receive news information. Telegram channels are leading. Moreover, conscious media consumption of Ukrainian and patriotic content is growing. The author emphasizes that the constant flow of news about war, shelling, misinformation, and propaganda exerts emotional pressure on consumers. Despite information overload, Ukrainians need quality and interesting content. In 2023, the consumption of entertainment programs, podcasts, and other formats that offer emotional enrichment to the consumer has increased significantly. Therefore, there is a growing need for psychological support and media programs to help consumers navigate the information space and support them with content in difficult times. Another important trend is the growing popularity of the concept of «ecological media consumption,» which involves conscious information selection, critical thinking, and minimizing the negative impact of media on the consumer’s mental health.

Background. The media environment offers not only reference images of the quality of life, but also numerous ways to achieve them. Currently, the media space is considered as a significant factor in psychological health and well-being, with body image being subject to the maximum degree of “pressure” from media ideals of appearance. This creates conditions for certain behaviour patterns of self-transformation, including the help of modern methods of aesthetic medicine. Objectives. The aim is to study the influence of the stereotype of ideal appearance, broadcast by the media, on the desire and readiness to change one’s appearance in an aesthetic medicine clinic. Methods. Methods specially developed for this study were used: “Media preferences and attitudes towards appearance” and “Choice of aesthetic medicine procedures”. Study Participants. The main group consisted of 144 women (M = 22.5; SD = 4.4, from 18 to 30 years old) who sought medical help at the Institute of Plastic Surgery and Cosmetology; control group involved 164 women (M = 21.15; SD = 3.8, from 18 to 30 years old) who did not contact the medical network with complaints about dissatisfaction with their own appearance. Results. Patients of the aesthetic medicine clinic are characterized by regular consumption of media on fashion and beauty topics, and are also prone to comparison and imitation of media ideals of appearance. Girls who spend a lot of time watching media on fashion and beauty want to devote even more time to this and note that the media influences the intensification of their needs related to changing their appearance. Conclusions. Macrosocial pressure to develop an “ideal self” evokes young women to compare themselves to and imitate ideals of appearance, which increases the desire to change their appearance. women focused on long-term consumption of media stereotypes of ideal appearance show willingness to use more and a wider range of medical interventions to correct their appearance, despite their risks and severity.

The results of the examination of six Russian TV channels (Channel One, Rossiya 1, NTV, STS, TNT, Friday!) are presented, the peculiarities of their work with social media VKontakte and Odnoklassniki are revealed. An attempt was made to identify the changed digital content strategies of TV channels in turbulent conditions. The effectiveness of TV accounts in social media during four weeks of 2022 and 2023 has been studied. The following parameters were analysed: number of posts, user comments, views and likes. Based on audience and channel activity, the Engagement Rate of users in the published content was determined. The most popular publications among the audience were identified, their formats and thematic focus were reviewed. The return of interest to the Odnoklassniki resource was noted. The tendency of the past years when TV channels duplicated content in their accounts of various social networks was also recorded. During the period of changes in the media landscape and social turbulence, the audience demand for news agenda, on the one hand, and entertainment, or rather “distracting” content, on the other hand, was noted.

Abstract Background There is inconclusive evidence for the effects of various leisure activities on attention performance in children. The literature reports inconsistent associations between activities such as physical activities or media use. To date, no study has thoroughly examined the various factors influencing attentional performance in a larger cohort of healthy children. This study aims to close this research gap. Methods From 2018 to 2019, the Leipzig School Nutrition Study collected data from 1215 children and their families. The children report their dietary behavior (using CoCu- Questionnaire), especially their participation in school lunch and their breakfast habits, through a paper questionnaire. Furthermore, attention performance was assessed using a validated test (FAIR-2) at school. Data on physical activity, media consumption, family eating habits and socio-economic status (SES) were collected from parents using questionnaires. Associations between attention and influencing factors were estimated using hierarchical linear regression. Analyses were adjusted for age, SES, and school type. Results Attending upper secondary schools (ßadj= 23.6, p

Disinformation generates political polarization and affects the quality of democracy, so understanding attitudes towards the regulation of disinformation will help society and its leaders to develop effective and inclusive approaches to combat this phenomenon. The purpose of the research is to determine the perceptions and propensities of Andean Community citizens regarding the regulation of disinformation. Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru have formed a political and economic bloc since 1969, and are subscribers to the Inter-American legal framework. The methodology is quantitative and qualitative, with exploratory and descriptive approaches. The instruments used are a survey, focus groups and expert interviews with experts, which were applied between July 2022 and May 2024, to establish trends and to avoid biases. It was found that 80% of respondents and participants in the focus groups agreed that misinformation alienates people from democratic representation and there was evidence of distrust in elections. A vision of regulation by states persists, through laws, rather than self- or co-regulation. The discussion revolves around the need for a multifaceted approach to combat disinformation, between regulation, media literacy and the responsibility of digital platforms, without compromising freedom of expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, various provisions have been enshrined in law to encourage the implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Comprehensive sexuality Education in Chilean schools. However, it is unknown whether appropriate steps have been taken to advance the right to sex and sexuality education, incorporating the use of ICTs as part of existing plans. The objective of this study was to identify the role that schools and schooling might play in relation to online environments, social networks and pornography as they affect children and adolescents’ sex and sexuality education in Chile. The research took the form of a qualitative study in which 30 education professionals were interviewed to identify needs, challenges and opportunities for incorporating the use of social networks and pornography in sex and sexuality education plans. We found that teachers and school managers rarely intervene in students’ sexualised digital media consumption. While being aware of and concerned about the effects it might have, they broadly delegate responsibility to families. There is a need to create educational communities with a greater knowledge of how to spearhead innovative and participatory internal policies and practices to ensure students’ access to good quality sex and sexuality education in online environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the 2020 presidential election, sustained efforts to overturn outcomes culminated in the invasion of the United States Capitol. While scholars have long investigated the impact of news on support for left-leaning protests, it is critical to understand how political predispositions and news consumption relate to support for anti-democratic movements. Through a survey fielded one week after the invasion, we analyzed how ideology, attitudes about protesting in general, authoritarianism, and media habits relate to people’s support for the movement, perceptions of its disruptiveness, and opinions about police response. Results show that conservative media have a strong unidirectional relationship, increasing support for the movement, while left-leaning or mainstream media impact is moderated by partisanship, which is related to increased support for liberals and decreased support for conservatives. We found authoritarianism related to support for Stop the Steal and perceptions of the police as too severe to suppress it. Evidence suggests elite cues and consumption of conservative media can legitimize insurrectionist movements, even among those who strongly oppose the right to protest overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A relationship has been recognized between social media use and health issues. However, no studies have explored the potential link between social media use and consumption of over-the-counter (OTC) medications. We examined social media use, self-reported anxiety, depression, sleep problems, pain, and OTC medications use among Norwegian university students. The goal was to gain insights that would guide preventive health strategies for this target group. A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted with an online questionnaire distributed to university student Facebook groups in Norway. A total of 132 completed surveys were analyzed. Among the respondents, 28% experienced anxiety, 35% depression, 64% sleep problems, 71% headaches, and 78% musculoskeletal pain. Moreover, 56% reported using OTC analgesics or sleep aids, mostly purchased from community pharmacies. No statistically significant correlation was found between social media use and headache, musculoskeletal pain, sleep disturbances, or consumption of OTC medications among university students in Norway. The findings, however, demonstrated a positive trend, highlighting the need for further research with larger, more diverse samples, and potentially employing a qualitative or longitudinal design. We propose increased awareness of the potential negative effects of social media among university students, the inclusion of social media and health topics in study curricula, and the more proactive engagement of community pharmacists with young clients concerning the consumption of OTC medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the increasing popularity of female-oriented romantic video games (RVGs, also known as otome games) in Asia, research on this topic is scarce. Drawing upon social exchange theory and social cognitive theory, the current study examined the association of RVG involvement and desire for real-life romantic relationships (RLRRs), and tested a SEM path model delineating the possible pathways linking RVG involvement to RLRR desire. A survey method was adopted to collect data from female RVG players on an online otome games forum in China. Results from a valid sample of 353 respondents (aged 18 or older) showed the direct, indirect, and total effects of RVG involvement on players' interest in real-life dating and marriage relationships were all negatively significant. It was found that gamers' avatar identification and parasocial relationships with romantic targets significantly mediated the relationship between RVG involvement and RLRR desire. Adding to a comparatively under-explored line of inquiry on the role of computer games in shaping real-life romance, this study contributes to both game effects and romantic media consumption literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic initiated a great global crisis, during which media influenced society and social interactions affected media use. Researchers from various research fields have studied the pandemic both globally and locally. This study aims to summarize the research on COVID-19 pandemic within communication studies, taking into account 358 articles published in SJR best ranked journals in 2020–2022. Methods: The study uses both qualitative and quantitative methods. Using manual coding and qualitative content analysis, we investigate articles' distribution according to journals, time, accessibility (either open, free or restricted) and methodological approaches. We also provide a qualitative summary of trending research themes. Using quantitative social network analysis (SNA) we present the distribution of institutions and countries in articles' affiliations, and the collaboration network at institutional and country level. Results: Results show an in-time increase of COVID-related publications. Articles were affiliated with 490 institutions from 68 countries, with the USA having the greatest representation. There was an underrepresentation of African and South American countries, which reflects the core-periphery challenge in knowledge production. The network analysis revealed that very few of possible connections were actually achieved. There is an observable trend of using quantitative methods. A growth on the gap between qualitative and quantitative studies was observed each year. More than a half of articles using qualitative methods were published in restricted access. Our qualitative summary of the addressed topics and main findings in articles related to COVID-19, media and society revealed a wide research interest in pandemics impacts on news consumption, media use and journalism, as well as infodemic, conspiracy narratives, science mistrust and discrimination and inequalities increased by the pandemic. Conclusion: To provide a wider perspective on the worldwide impact of pandemic, more studies from underrepresented countries are needed. The collaboration between institutions and countries requires strengthening. Qualitative studies were conducted considerably less than quantitative studies and they were usually published in restricted access, which leads to a methodological gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the analysis of Russian Muslims’ communications in social networks. I show a unique mode of interdependence of online and offline, which takes shape in the special context of the dominant discourse of traditional Islam and the securitization of Islamic activism. The construction of “right” and “wrong” Islam determines the special structure of media consumption of Russian Muslims and the content of the political agenda. In addition to verbalized political agendas, I describe the phenomenon of an “unspoken” political agenda hidden beyond religious messages and identified precisely only through background by actors transmitting it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]