Two theoretical approaches have recently emerged to characterize new digital objects of study in the media landscape: infrastructure studies and platform studies. Despite their separate origins and ...different features, we demonstrate in this article how the cross-articulation of these two perspectives improves our understanding of current digital media. We use case studies of the Open Web, Facebook, and Google to demonstrate that infrastructure studies provides a valuable approach to the evolution of shared, widely accessible systems and services of the type often provided or regulated by governments in the public interest. On the other hand, platform studies captures how communication and expression are both enabled and constrained by new digital systems and new media. In these environments, platform-based services acquire characteristics of infrastructure, while both new and existing infrastructures are built or reorganized on the logic of platforms. We conclude by underlining the potential of this combined framework for future case studies.
The arrival of digital native students and the omnipresence of Internet access and mobile devices have motivated professors to reflect on their teaching practices. The educational usage of Facebook ...includes communication, collaboration, and sharing. Different research designs and the lack of baseline data made it difficult to compare research findings and conclude students' perceptions of the educational usage of a Facebook group. The findings from this research showed even more positive attitudes towards the educational usage of a Facebook group after the experience. Specifically, positive significant differences were found in "improves communication between teacher and students", "provides rich multimedia resources and media support to improve the educational experience"; and a negative significant change in "encourages the creation of academic groups (communities) of people with the same interest and needs".
There is a growing concern around the dependency of news organisations on platforms like Facebook for audience traffic. However, scholars are still working out the extent of this dependency and how ...it manifests in practice. In this article, we draw on interviews with Australian news professionals and industry fieldwork to provide a nuanced account of this phenomenon. We find that news media organisations have recently started to diversify their distribution strategies and the business models associated with them in response to Facebook’s algorithm changes. While Facebook remains important, we suggest that greater attention needs to be paid to the complex relationships that news organisations have with platforms. This article ends by considering the implications of these findings for international policy discussions centred around the prospect of platform regulation.
Krishona Martinson, Equine Extension Specialist at the University of Minnesota (UMN), established the UMN Extension Horse Facebook page in June 2010 to disseminate research-based information to horse ...owners and professionals. With Martinson as the owner, the page grew to over 25,000 followers and averaged an annual reach of 2.7 million people. In December 2022, hackers compromised Martinson's personal Facebook page, which was then disabled by Facebook, and gained ownership of the UMN Horse page. The goal of this abstract is to highlight the top 10 lessons learned, which can help others prevent and respond to a hack of a Facebook page. First, install 2-factor authentication. Martinson had not enabled this security feature because she was not comfortable sharing her contact information with Facebook. Second, use a passphrase instead of a password. Passphrases tend to be more difficult to crack due to their length. Third, delete unused social media accounts. The breach occurred when hackers connected Martinson's unused Instagram account to her personal Facebook page. Fourth, ensure the page has other administrators. Before the hackers removed all page administrators, the UMN quickly updated the page banner to notify followers of the hack, stopped all scheduled posts, and removed the branded profile photo to distance the UMN from any unwanted posts. Fifth, be aware of risks and have a plan. Martinson and the UMN page were likely targetssince she managed several Facebook pages and the UMN page had a sizable following. When planning, consider pulling metrics monthly and ensure content created specifically for Facebook (e.g., Live videos) is saved elsewhere so it is not lost if a hack occurs. Sixth, report the hack immediately to direct supervisors, your employers general counsel, and communications and cyber security teams. Seventh, change other account passwords that use the same email and the same or similar password. Eighth, as a precaution post-hack, remove page administrators who are also owners of other pages to reduce the risk of additional pages being hacked. Nineth, take screenshots of any unwanted posts or page changes. Proof of the hack is necessary when reporting to Facebook. Finally, complete as many Facebook forms as possible to report the hack. Martinson was able to file a trademark infringement report through Facebook but was unsuccessful in submitting other reports because her personal page was disabled. Despite efforts shared here, the UMN and Martinson's personal Facebook pages have yet to be recovered. We hope these tips will result in others being able to avoid a frustrating and disruptive Facebook hack or be more prepared when responding to one.
•Active Facebook use is positively linked to Facebook Addiction (FA).•There is no significant link between passive Facebook use and FA.•Active Facebook use contributes to the experience of Facebook ...related flow.•In the longer term, Facebook flow serves as an antecedent of FA.•Particularly individuals with enhanced depression symptoms are at risk for FA.
The present study investigated the link of active and passive Facebook use, Facebook flow and depression symptoms with Facebook Addiction (FA).
Data of 127 German Facebook users (Mage (SDage) = 25.10 (7.03), range: 18–58) were assessed at two measurement time points over a period of three months (first measurement = T1, second measurement = T2) via online surveys.
FA (T2) was significantly positively linked to active Facebook use (T1), Facebook flow (T1) and depression symptoms (T1). Its relationship with passive Facebook use (T1) was non-significant. Facebook flow (T1) positively mediated the association between active Facebook use (T1) and FA (T2). In contrast, active Facebook use (T1) did not serve as a mediator between Facebook flow (T1) and FA (T2).
Given the non-experimental design of the present study, only hypothetical conclusions on causality can be drawn.
Current results demonstrate that active Facebook use could contribute to the experience of flow that serves as an antecedent of FA. This is particularly relevant for individuals with enhanced depression symptoms. The findings should be made a subject of discussion in education and prevention programs, and in therapeutic context.
•We examined the possible relation with well-being and problematic Facebook use.•Life satisfaction negatively associated with problematic Facebook use.•Subjective vitality negatively associated with ...problematic Facebook use.•Flourishing negatively associated with problematic Facebook use.•Subjective happiness negatively associated with problematic Facebook use.
Social networking sites are getting more widespread online communication forms all over the world. Especially adolescents and emerging adults use these sites to make connection, and share something. Although, Facebook is one of the most popular sites, research is still in nascent phase on the excessive use of Facebook. Hence, it is fundamental to determine potential predictors of overuse of Facebook. The present study investigated the relationship between well-being and problematic Facebook use. Participants were 311 university students 179(58%) female, 132(42%) male, Mage=20.86years, SD=1.61 who completed the questionnaire packet including the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (Andreassen, Torsheim, Brunborg, & Pallesen, 2012), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985), the Subjective Vitality Scale (Ryan & Frederick, 1997), the Flourishing Scale (Diener et al., 2010), and the Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirsky & Lepper, 1999). A stepwise regression analyses was used with four independent variables (life satisfaction, subjective vitality, flourishing, and subjective happiness) to explain variance in problematic Facebook use. The results showed that life satisfaction, subjective vitality, flourishing, and subjective happiness were significant negative predictors of problematic Facebook use. The significance and limitations of the results are discussed.
•Inpatients who use Facebook (FB) have higher level of depressiveness than non-users.•FB users have higher level of social stress and insomnia than FB non-users.•FB non-users have higher level of ...positive mental health (PMH) than FB users.•Duration of daily FB use is positively linked to negative mental health.•Duration of daily FB use is negatively linked to PMH.
The present study aimed to investigate differences in variables of positive mental health (PMH, i.e., emotional, psychological and social well-being) and negative mental health (NMH, i.e., somatoform complaints, depressiveness, social stress and insomnia) between clinical inpatients who use the social platform Facebook and those who do not use Facebook. Furthermore, the link between duration of daily Facebook use and mental health should be considered.
In two subsamples of inpatients of a psychosomatic rehabilitation clinic in Germany (Facebook users: N = 336, Facebook non-users: N = 265), use of Facebook, PMH and NMH were assessed via a computer survey.
Facebook users had significantly higher values of three variables of NMH (i.e., depressiveness, social stress and insomnia), and significantly lower values of PMH than Facebook non-users. Duration of daily Facebook use was significantly negatively associated with PMH and significantly positively with all variables of NMH.
Given the cross-sectional study design, current data do not imply causality.
Current results indicate that Facebook use is negatively associated with PMH and positively with NMH in clinical inpatients. Thus, future research should investigate whether and how Facebook use may have a negative effect on the recovery process of the inpatients.
•Facebook interaction is positively related to receiving social support on Facebook.•Facebook interaction is positively related to giving social support on Facebook.•Facebook interaction is not ...associated with perceived social support in general.•Receiving social support on Facebook is not related to perceived social support.•Giving social support on Facebook is not related to perceived social support.
Relatively few studies have examined the social implications of SNSs for various dimensions of social support, even though different dimensions of social support can have differential impacts on people’s well-being. This study fills this gap by examining how Facebook interaction is related to various types of social support—enacted receiving and giving social support on Facebook and perceived social support in general. A survey of college students at a large public university in the U.S. reveals that Facebook interaction is positively related to receiving and giving social support on Facebook. However, neither social interaction nor enacted social support on Facebook is related to perceived social support in general.
Use of the social platform Facebook belongs to daily life, but may impair subjective well-being. The present experimental study investigated the potential beneficial impact of reduction of daily ...Facebook use. Participants were Facebook users from Germany. While the experimental group (N = 140; Mage(SDage) = 24.15 (5.06)) reduced its Facebook use for 20 min daily for two weeks, the control group (N = 146; Mage(SDage) = 25.39 (6.69)) used Facebook as usual. Variables of Facebook use, life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, physical activity and smoking behavior were assessed via online surveys at five measurement time points (pre-measurement, day 0 = T1; between-measurement, day 7 = T2; post-measurement, day 15 = T3; follow-up 1, one month after post-measurement = T4; follow-up 2, three months after post-measurement = T5). The intervention reduced active and passive Facebook use, Facebook use intensity, and the level of Facebook Addiction Disorder. Life satisfaction significantly increased, and depressive symptoms significantly decreased. Moreover, frequency of physical activity such as jogging or cycling significantly increased, and number of daily smoked cigarettes decreased. Effects remained stable during follow-up (three months). Thus, less time spent on Facebook leads to more well-being and a healthier lifestyle.
•Experimental reduction of Facebook use longitudinally increased life satisfaction.•Reduction of Facebook use longitudinally enhanced the level of physical activity.•Reduction of Facebook use longitudinally reduced depressive symptoms and smoking behavior.•Less time spent on Facebook leads to more well-being and a healthier lifestyle.
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