The popularity of users like politicians and political influencers on social media demonstrates their power and sway over public discourse today. But how do these political users gain and maintain power? This article explores how the current media landscape is dominated by political influencers and elites, making it harder for users to know what’s trustworthy and detect misinformation. By spotlighting the tactics that some of these sources use to build influence with their audiences, we bring attention to how political information is shared and processed in today’s digital landscape. ...more

Fear-driven stories about migrant crime continue to circulate widely across social media platforms. This article examines how emotional triggers, psychological shortcuts, and platform design interact to influence public perception. The result is a digital environment where fear spreads faster than facts and reinforces harmful stereotypes. ...more

Social media is far more than a tool for communication, it is a digital social environment at scale. Unlike any other space before it, social media platforms expose us to the judgements of others. From expressions of admiration to condemnation, we are immersed in the opinions of others with unprecedented frequency. In this article, we explore how such online environments hold the potential to distort our perception of societal consensus on core moral issues and influence our understanding of what is considered right and wrong in society. ...more