The Darker Side of Social Media: Consumer Psychology and Mental Health takes a research-based, scientific approach to examining problematic issues and outcomes that are related to social media use by consumers. Now in its second edition, it relies on psychological theories to help explain or predict problematic online behavior within the social media landscape through the lens of mental health. With an aim to provide solutions, the authors spotlight the key issues affecting consumer well-being and mental health due to the omnipresence and overuse of social media. The book dissects the unintended consequences of too much social media use, specifying key problems like disconnection anxiety, eating disorders, online fraud, cyberbullying, the dark web, addiction, depression, self-discrepancies, and serious privacy concerns (especially impacting children or young people). The book provides grapples with mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, and eating disorders that can be intensified by, or correlated with, too much social media use. The authors meticulously review the various facets of the darker side of online presence and propose actionable solutions for each of the problems stated, providing scholars with a conceptual model with propositions for continued research. This international exploration of social media is a must-read for students of marketing, advertising, and public relations, as well as scholars/managers of business, marketing, psychology, communication, management, and sociology. It will also be of interest to social media users, those navigating new media platforms parents, policymakers, and practitioners.

The Dark Side of Social Media: Psychological, Managerial, and Societal Perspectives examines how social media can negatively affect our lives. The book tackles issues related to social media such as emotional and mental health, shortened attention spans, selective self-presentation and narcissism, the declining quality of interpersonal relationships, privacy and security, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, misinformation and online deception, and negative peer effects. It goes on to discuss social media and companies (loss of power, challenging control mechanisms) and societies as a whole (fake news, chatbots, changes in the workplace). The Dark Side of Social Media: Psychological, Managerial, and Societal Perspectives empowers readers to have a more holistic understanding of the consequences of utilizing social media. It does not necessarily argue that social media is a bad development, but rather serves to complement the numerous empirical findings on the "bright side" of social media with a cautionary view on the negative developments. - Focuses on interpersonal communication through social media - Focuses on psychology of media effects - Explores social media issues on both an individual and societal level - Documents the rise of social media from niche phenomenon to mass market - Examines the differences between creating and consuming content

The Dark Side of Social Media takes a consumer psychology perspective to online consumer behavior in the context of social media, focusing on concerns for consumers, organizations, and brands. Using the concepts of digital drama and digital over-engagement, established as well as emerging scholars in marketing, advertising, and communications present research on some unintended consequences of social media including body shaming, online fraud, cyberbullying, online brand protests, social media addiction, privacy, and revenge pornography. It is a must-read for scholars, practitioners, and students interested in consumer psychology, consumer behavior, social media, advertising, marketing, sociology, science and technology management, public relations, and communication.

The book "The Dark Side of Social Media: Addressing Cyberbullying and Trolling" delves into the alarming rise of harmful behaviors in the digital space and offers a comprehensive examination of cyberbullying and trolling. It sheds light on the negative impact of these practices on individuals, particularly young users, and explores the psychological and emotional consequences they can inflict. The book covers real-life stories and case studies to highlight the seriousness of the issue and its prevalence across various social media platforms. Drawing on research and expert insights, the book provides practical strategies and solutions to address and combat cyberbullying and trolling effectively. It explores the role of social media companies, policymakers, educators, and parents in creating a safer online environment for users. This book serves as a vital resource for individuals concerned about the well-being and safety of those using social media. By raising awareness and offering actionable measures, it aims to empower readers to take proactive steps in curbing the dark side of social media and fostering a more positive and respectful digital community.

Regina Luttrell and Adrienne A. Wallace present an engaging introduction of social media’s integration with modern society. Recognizing categories of relational, societal, and self while analyzing the social media environment, this introductory mass communications textbook establishes a framework for understanding how technology, culture, democracy, economy, and audience fragmentation interact with each media industry differently and relate to media literacy. Armed with this knowledge, future professional communicators gain a better understanding of their audience and the level to which their strategies influence the public. Social Media and Society empowers students as consumers and creators of social media and illustrates that, while the tools of communication have changed, the goals of social connection and influence have not. Features of this unique text include the following: Relational/Societal/Self boxes provide a framework for analysis of media and society In Theory boxes attaching theory to practice Learning tools and enhanced pedagogy, such as Learning Objectives, Chapter Wrap-Up; Critical Thinking Questions, Media Sources, and End of Chapter Activities Comprehensive Glossary of key terms Full-color visuals capturing key trends and up-to-date data

This topical book examines and tests the complexities of unintended consequences of social media that often impact brands and companies from both an economic and a reputational lens. This book introduces the term “corporate cancel culture,” highlighting the growing trend among customers to leverage social media to communicate their grievances with companies. This book reports challenges of social media platforms to brands and companies. The challenges addressed entail including social media trolls, the power of influencers, the dark web, cancel culture in sports due to political constraints, social media influencer livestreams, and misinformation. Written by a team of experts from North America, Europe, South America, and Asia, this book showcases real‐world expertise in marketing, branding, consumer psychology, economics, and communication. This book also considers solutions for brands and companies who need to address the dark side of social media by offering insights on fostering accountability among brands and business leaders and providing a roadmap to mitigate consumer resistance. Corporate Cancel Culture and Brand Boycotts: The Dark Side of Social Media for Brands is a must read for students of psychology, marketing, public relations, management, and social media. It will also be of interest to users of social media – both consumers and business/organizations. It is especially valuable for marketing/advertising professionals, social media professionals/influencers, and business executives. It is designed to be read alongside The Dark Side of Social Media: A Consumer Psychology Perspective.

Master's Thesis from the year 2024 in the subject Politics - Topic: Peace and Conflict, Security, grade: A, Addis Ababa University (Peace & Security studies), course: Peace & Security, language: English, abstract: The Ethiopian civil war 2020-2022 underscores the profound impact of social media on social cohesion, with platforms like Facebook and Twitter significantly shaping narratives and public discourse. This study delves into how the spread of disinformation and hate speech on social media has intensified ethnic tensions and eroded trust within communities. By conducting a comprehensive literature review and employing qualitative methods such as content analysis and stakeholder interviews, the research investigates the role of these platforms in expanding divisions and escalating conflict. It identifies predominant narratives that fuel polarization and highlights the critical need for robust content moderation and regulatory frameworks. The study emphasizes the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, involving policymakers, social media companies, civil society, and international organizations, to address the adverse effects of social media. Effective management of social media's influence in contemporary conflicts requires balancing freedom of expression with the prevention of harmful content.

Shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2022 From Donald Trump's outrageous tweets to the impact of the GRU (Russia's military intelligence agency) on foreign elections, through to echo chambers and amplification by bots and networks - the negative side of social media is becoming ever more apparent. Now far removed from a comfortable landscape of cat videos and family pictures, social media is now open to exploitation from a range of sources, from disgruntled employees to 'fake news'. The negative impact of social media upon the workplace can have damaging consequences for businesses. Reputations can be ruined overnight, employees can manipulate social media feeds to their own advantage, and the boundaries between professional and personal social media conduct can become dangerously blurred. Dark Social is an approachable and widely applicable guide to the dangers of social media, and the steps that can be taken by businesses to avoid any negative consequences as a result of social media activity. Despite these risks, social media should not be neglected - it has become a fundamental part of business literacy and is now an essential element of any successful marketing & PR campaign. Drawing upon illustrative case studies and organizational psychology, Dark Social is a timely and fascinating insight into the darker side of social media.

Essay from the year 2014 in the subject Law - Media, Multimedia Law, Copyright, grade: 6.30/7, Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University), course: B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), language: English, abstract: Media trials have been a burning issue for many decades, but do they really fit well within the legal framework? This paper shows different perspectives and touches upon issues of human psychology on how the pliable mind of the innocent public is being molded against the judiciary by media trials, and how the public is becoming a puppet in the hands of the media driven by commercial interests. Social psychology and the various techniques used by the media have been discussed in the book highlighting the unethical and immoral practices of the media that has gone unregulated for decades now without them being accountable to anyone. This essay effectively brings out what the problems are that the judiciaries face with media trials being conducted for ongoing proceedings in a court of law, and the way effective policing can be done on the media to sustain it as the fourth pillar of democracy and yet let it not interfere with the proper administration of justice.

At a time when the news cycle turns on a tweet, journalism gets confused with opinion, and facts are treated as negotiable information, applying critical thinking skills to your social media consumption is more important than ever. Guy P. Harrison, an upbeat advocate of scientific literacy and positive skepticism, demonstrates how critical thinking can enhance the benefits of social media while giving users the skills to guard against its dangers. Social media has more than two billion users and continues to grow. Its widespread appeal as a means of staying in touch with friends and keeping up with daily news masks some serious pitfalls-- misinformation, pseudoscience, fraud, propaganda, and irrational beliefs, for example, presented in an attractive, easy-to-share form. This book will teach you how to resist the psychological and behavioral manipulation of social media and avoid the mistakes that millions have already made and now regret. Harrison presents scientific studies that show why your subconscious mind loves social media and how that can work against your ability to critically evaluate information. Among other things, social media reinforces your biases, clouds your judgment with images that leave a false impression, and fills your brain with anecdotes that become cheap substitutes for objective data. The very nature of the technology keeps you in a bubble; by tracking your preferences it sends only filtered newsfeeds, so that you rarely see anything that might challenge your set notions. Harrison explores the implications of having digital "friends" and the effects on mood, self-esteem, and the cultivation of friendship in the real world. He discusses how social media affects attention spans and the ability to consider issues in depth. And he suggests ways to protect yourself against privacy invasion, cyberstalking, biased misinformation, catfishing, trolls, misuse of photos, and the confusion over fake news versus credible journalism.