Social Media | Penn Today

Three cubes with Facebook messenger emojis printed on each side displaying the trademark thumb’s up, the laugh emoji and the surprise emoji.

What you need to know about the antitrust suits against Facebook

Antitrust expert Herbert Hovenkamp breaks down the recent lawsuits against Facebook, why he thinks the arguments have merit and how big tech companies can adapt.

A close-up image of a hand holding a mobile phone, with the words "News," "Business," Politics" and "Sports" visible on the screen. Next to the phone is a cup of coffee. In the background are blurred open books.

Q&A

How did echo chambers influence the 2020 election?

Research from the Annenberg School for Communication shows that people are consuming news from more diverse sources, but many don’t consume any news at all. It’s too soon to tell what role that played in the recent race for president.

Facebook keeps data secret, letting conservative bias claims persist

PIK Professor Duncan Watts is working with Facebook to analyze its content for bias. "Mostly it's mainstream content," he said. "If anything, there is a bias in favor of conservative content."

one gloved hand holds syringe and another cleans arm with cotton ball prior to vaccine

How misinformed vaccine beliefs affect policy views

There is broad support in the U.S. for pro-vaccination policies, but as many as 20% of Americans hold negative views about vaccines. The Annenberg Public Policy Center shows that such misinformed vaccine beliefs are the strongest driver of opposition to pro-vaccination public policies.

How social media is shaping political campaigns

Wharton’s Pinar Yildirim discusses how social media is changing political competition.

A conference room full of empty chairs in front of an empty podium on a stage with an American flag on the left side.

Presidential campaigning during the coronavirus crisis

From targeted ads on Facebook and Snapchat to Zoom celebrity events and email blasts, the coronavirus pandemic is forcing the Trump and Biden campaigns to get creative as they make their bids for the presidency.

small child receiving a vaccine shot in the upper arm.

Countering anti-vaccination influences from social media—with conversation

A new study explores to what extent social media messages effect vaccination behavior, and finds individuals exposed to negative online discussions about flu vaccines makes them less likely to get a flu shot.

Big Tech: Monopolies, misinformation and election integrity

Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center was interviewed about social media and election meddling.

Once again, there is no 'anti-conservative' bias on social media

Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center said accusations of systemic bias against conservatives by social media platforms are unfounded, in part because there’s no way to prove it. “From a methodological standpoint, it’s virtually impossible to do,” she said. “You'll never capture the full base of the content in order to start your analysis.”

Online petitions work best when you do more than just sign

Rosemary Clark-Parsons of the Annenberg School for Communication spoke about the efficacy of online petitions. "What critics refer to as 'slacktivism' can actually create an alternative outlet for those who would typically not get involved in any movement at all,” she said.

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