Written by Robin Ahn, Research Assistant in Cornell’s Social Media Lab and Information Science Major While TikTok’s beloved gifting feature may look like the perfect way to show one’s appreciation towards their favorite creators, this well-intended feature has brought along many troubles with its rise. What is TikTok gifting? Livestream gifting originated in China…

Written by Zoe Gordon, Research Assistant in Cornell’s Social Media Lab and Information Science Major Over the last 40 years, the United States has become increasingly politically polarized. Polarization is the idea that opposition becomes more extreme over time, and it can negatively affect both government and everyday life. It…

Written by Melissa Chen, Research Assistant in Cornell’s Social Media Lab and Information Science Major Communication in Videogames While video games are a popular form of entertainment for many people, they also provide a way for people to connect and communicate online. Many gamers stream their games to share with…

Written by Kingston Ko, Research Assistant in Cornell’s Social Media Lab and Information Science Major Introduction Mobile dating apps, such as Tinder and Hinge, are revolutionizing the way in which people form connections, and ultimately perceive romantic relationships. They act as a great tool for those who are 18 years…

Written by Cid Decatur, Research Assistant in Cornell’s Social Media Lab and Communication Major You’d be surprised to know how easy it is to create a fake Tinder account. Anyone can do it. It’s easier than you’d think even though it is against the company’s policy. Their platform is poor…

Written by Eileen Kelly, Research Assistant in Cornell’s Social Media Lab and Communication Major “OMG, he totally left me on read yesterday, even after he slid into my DMs to get my snap. Should I post about this on my finsta or private? …

Written by Melissa Chen, Research Assistant in Cornell’s Social Media Lab and Information Science Major Body Image and Social Media Have you ever seen a post of someone on social media and suddenly thought of your own body or appearance? You’re not alone. 87% of women and 65% of men…

Written by Ada Luo, Research Assistant in Cornell’s Social Media Lab and Information Science Major TikTok isn’t the first social media platform to have an algorithmic system that tailors content to the user. YouTube recommends videos on their homepage and on the sidebar besides videos that the user watches. Instagram…

By Matthew Dressa Current Refugee Crisis By the end of 2019, there were nearly 79.5 million individuals displaced worldwide. Whether it be as a result of civil conflict, religious persecution, or natural disaster, displaced persons face a vast amount of challenges in their pursuit of safety and stability. Furthermore, the…