Podcast
Questions and Answers
A fashion influencer, who previously had an eating disorder, gains popularity on social media for showcasing a consistently very thin appearance. Petitions arise to deplatform her due to potential harm. What is a key ethical consideration in this scenario?
A fashion influencer, who previously had an eating disorder, gains popularity on social media for showcasing a consistently very thin appearance. Petitions arise to deplatform her due to potential harm. What is a key ethical consideration in this scenario?
- Assuming that all viewers are equally susceptible to the negative impacts of the content.
- Prioritizing the influencer's freedom of expression regardless of potential harm.
- Ignoring the influencer's past struggles with eating disorders, focusing solely on her current content.
- Balancing freedom of expression with the potential impact on vulnerable individuals susceptible to eating disorders. (correct)
Social media algorithms are designed to maximize user engagement. How might this goal unintentionally contribute to the proliferation of content related to eating disorders?
Social media algorithms are designed to maximize user engagement. How might this goal unintentionally contribute to the proliferation of content related to eating disorders?
- By creating echo chambers where users are primarily exposed to content that reinforces their existing interests and views, including those related to unhealthy eating behaviors. (correct)
- By prioritizing content that promotes positive body image and mental health, thereby diluting the impact of harmful content.
- By randomly displaying content, regardless of user preferences, to ensure a diverse range of viewpoints.
- By actively promoting content that has been flagged as harmful, in order to stir up controversy.
What is the primary limitation of relying solely on self-report data in studies examining the relationship between social media use and eating disorders?
What is the primary limitation of relying solely on self-report data in studies examining the relationship between social media use and eating disorders?
- Self-report data is inherently more reliable than data collected through observational studies.
- Self-report data cannot be analyzed statistically, making it difficult to draw conclusions.
- Self-report data is not subject to ethical concerns about privacy and informed consent.
- Participants may not accurately recall or truthfully report their social media usage or feelings. (correct)
Which of the following statements best describes the difficulty in establishing a causal relationship between social media use and eating disorders?
Which of the following statements best describes the difficulty in establishing a causal relationship between social media use and eating disorders?
What is a significant challenge in regulating social media content that promotes or encourages eating disorders, while also upholding freedom of expression?
What is a significant challenge in regulating social media content that promotes or encourages eating disorders, while also upholding freedom of expression?
Aside from governmental and platform interventions, what action can viewers take to mitigate the impact of potentially harmful social media content related to eating disorders?
Aside from governmental and platform interventions, what action can viewers take to mitigate the impact of potentially harmful social media content related to eating disorders?
Social media platforms use micro-targeting to deliver content to users. Which statement best describes this process?
Social media platforms use micro-targeting to deliver content to users. Which statement best describes this process?
What is a potential negative consequence of social media algorithms that prioritize keeping users engaged on the platform?
What is a potential negative consequence of social media algorithms that prioritize keeping users engaged on the platform?
Why is it particularly challenging to determine whether social media content directly causes eating disorders?
Why is it particularly challenging to determine whether social media content directly causes eating disorders?
What is a proactive step that schools can take to address the potential risks of social media related to eating disorders?
What is a proactive step that schools can take to address the potential risks of social media related to eating disorders?
What distinguishes academic research from the Wall Street Journal's research cited regarding social media and body image?
What distinguishes academic research from the Wall Street Journal's research cited regarding social media and body image?
What is one way communities can help counter the negative effects of social media on body image?
What is one way communities can help counter the negative effects of social media on body image?
Social media platforms often rely on reports from the community to identify and remove content related to eating disorders. What is a potential limitation of this approach?
Social media platforms often rely on reports from the community to identify and remove content related to eating disorders. What is a potential limitation of this approach?
Which of the following is an example of taking political action to address the issue of social media content related to eating disorders?
Which of the following is an example of taking political action to address the issue of social media content related to eating disorders?
What is the core ethical dilemma when considering restrictions on social media content that may trigger eating disorders?
What is the core ethical dilemma when considering restrictions on social media content that may trigger eating disorders?
If a social media platform implements a policy to remove content that promotes eating disorders, what is one potential unintended consequence?
If a social media platform implements a policy to remove content that promotes eating disorders, what is one potential unintended consequence?
What is the significance of defining terms and methods when evaluating research on social media and eating disorders?
What is the significance of defining terms and methods when evaluating research on social media and eating disorders?
Which of the following is an industry action that social media platforms can take to address the issue of content related to eating disorders?
Which of the following is an industry action that social media platforms can take to address the issue of content related to eating disorders?
Why is it necessary to consider the responsibility of viewers of social media content in discussions about eating disorders?
Why is it necessary to consider the responsibility of viewers of social media content in discussions about eating disorders?
What is an example of negative social comparison on Instagram that might affect teenagers?
What is an example of negative social comparison on Instagram that might affect teenagers?
Flashcards
Social Media and Eating Disorders
Social Media and Eating Disorders
Explicitly encourages eating disorders through content such as dieting tips, urging others not to eat, and body shaming.
Attention and Engagement Measurement
Attention and Engagement Measurement
Social media platforms measure user attention through likes, shares, and comments.
TikTok Algorithm - Rabbit Hole
TikTok Algorithm - Rabbit Hole
Delivers similar content based on past interactions, keeping users engaged.
Research Question (RQ)
Research Question (RQ)
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Wall Street Journal Article Finding
Wall Street Journal Article Finding
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Instagram's Approach to ED Content
Instagram's Approach to ED Content
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Community Action
Community Action
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Viewer Responsibility
Viewer Responsibility
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Study Notes
- Social media content can publicly and explicitly encourage eating disorders through tips, urging others to not eat, and appearance shaming.
- Some believe very thin influencers should be deplatformed or demonetized.
- Women with eating disorders (ED) claim certain content triggers them.
Social Media Algorithms
- Social media platforms sell advertising, similar to traditional media.
- Platforms measure user attention and engagement through likes, shares, and comments.
- Micro-targeting is based on user behavior and profiles.
- Algorithms predict content and ads users will be interested in.
- TikTok's algorithm can create a "rabbit hole," keeping users swiping for hours.
- TikTok delivers similar content to videos previously watched.
Research Question
- Is there a relationship between social media use and eating disorders?
- Social scientists use various methods to evaluate this relationship.
- A Wall Street Journal article indicated that social media users are more likely to have negative feelings about body image.
- Negative social comparison about body and lifestyle occurs on Instagram, especially among teenagers.
- TikTok emphasizes dance, while Snapchat emphasizes filters.
Research Methods
- Meta's research uses self-report data, which can be limited due to casual responses.
- Observational studies are common, but cannot prove causation between social media use and eating disorders.
Potential Solutions
- Political action, industry action, and parental or community education can address social problems.
- Instagram policies use technology and community reports to remove ED content, but sometimes fail.
- Schools can offer educational resources on the risks of social media.
- Communities can promote body acceptance.
- Viewers of content have a responsibility to regulate their own social media feed and diet.
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