Can a hashtag help prevent atrocities? Study shows social media can be a powerful tool
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 2-Jun-2026 00:16 ET (2-Jun-2026 04:16 GMT/UTC)
Social media is often criticized for fueling misinformation and violence, but it could actually play a role in preventing genocide and mass atrocities – if used strategically.
A new paper co-authored by Binghamton University Professor of Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm examined social media hashtag campaigns during times of crisis and found that digital platforms can aid in atrocity prevention if they are tailored to the context of the crisis at hand.
A recent study of more than 2,000 early-career adults found that young people whose parents were still very closely involved in their lives tended to have occupations with less “prestige” than young people whose parents were less involved.
As nearly 2 million Christian missionaries worldwide step off on long- and short-term assignments annually, a new study from UConn and University of Oklahoma researchers finds that upon return, they consistently draw on the same communication strategies to talk about their experiences abroad and the difficulties of returning home.
From the use of metaphors to the recalling of memorable messages, the missionaries included in the study also routinely pulled from biblical vernacular to describe how they were feeling and used the personification of God to find comfort in their situations, researchers say.
More and more young adults abstain from entering committed romantic relationships, and this may be affecting their well-being. A new study conducted at the University of Zurich shows that long-term singles experience a sharper decline in life satisfaction over time and feel lonelier and more depressed – especially in their late twenties.