COVID-19 vaccine perceptions: An observational study on Reddit

AbstractObjectivesAs COVID-19 vaccinations accelerate in many countries, narratives skeptical of vaccination have also spread through social media. Open online forums like Reddit provide an opportunity to quantitatively examine COVID-19 vaccine perceptions over time. We examine COVID-19 misinformation on Reddit following vaccine scientific announcements.MethodsWe collected all posts on Reddit from January 1 2020 - December 14 2020 (n=266,840) that contained both COVID-19 and vaccine-related keywords. We used topic modeling to understand changes in word prevalence within topics after the release of vaccine trial data. Social network analysis was also conducted to determine the relationship between Reddit communities (subreddits) that shared COVID-19 vaccine posts, and the movement of posts between subreddits.ResultsThere was an association between a Pfizer press release reporting 90% efficacy and increased discussion on vaccine misinformation. We observed an association between Johnson and Johnson temporarily halting its vaccine trials and reduced misinformation. We found that information skeptical of vaccination was first posted in a subreddit (r/Coronavirus) which favored accurate information and then reposted in subreddits associated with antivaccine beliefs and conspiracy theories (e.g. conspiracy, LockdownSkepticism).ConclusionsOur findings can inform the development of interventions where individuals determine the accuracy of vaccine information, and communications campaigns to improve COVID-19 vaccine perceptions. Such efforts can increase individual- and population-level awareness of accurate and scientifically sound information regarding vaccines and thereby improve attitudes about vaccines. Further research is needed to understand how social media can contribute to COVID-19 vaccination services.FundingStudy was funded by the Yale Institute for Global Health and the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale University. The funding bodies had no role in the design, analysis or interpretation of the data in the study.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Perceptions in the Initial Phases of US Vaccine Roll-out: An Observational Study on Reddit

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1171780/v1 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Navin Kumar ◽

Isabel Corpus ◽

Meher Hans ◽

Nikhil Harle ◽

Nan Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vaccine Trial ◽

Population Level ◽

Accurate Information ◽

Online Forums ◽

Conspiracy Theories ◽

Vaccine Trials ◽

Vaccine Information ◽

The Relationship ◽

Early Phases ◽

Roll Out

Abstract Background: Open online forums like Reddit provide an opportunity to quantitatively examine COVID-19 vaccine perceptions early in the vaccine timeline. We examine COVID-19 misinformation on Reddit following vaccine scientific announcements, in the initial phases of the vaccine timeline. Methods: We collected all posts on Reddit from January 1 2020 - December 14 2020 (n=266,840) that contained both COVID-19 and vaccine-related keywords. We used topic modeling to understand changes in word prevalence within topics after the release of vaccine trial data. Social network analysis was also conducted to determine the relationship between Reddit communities (subreddits) that shared COVID-19 vaccine posts, and the movement of posts between subreddits. Results: There was an association between a Pfizer press release reporting 90\% efficacy and increased discussion on vaccine misinformation. We observed an association between Johnson and Johnson temporarily halting its vaccine trials and reduced misinformation. We found that information skeptical of vaccination was first posted in a subreddit (r/Coronavirus) which favored accurate information and then reposted in subreddits associated with antivaccine beliefs and conspiracy theories (e.g. conspiracy, NoNewNormal). Conclusions: Our findings can inform the development of interventions where individuals determine the accuracy of vaccine information, and communications campaigns to improve COVID-19 vaccine perceptions, early in the vaccine timeline. Such efforts can increase individual- and population-level awareness of accurate and scientifically sound information regarding vaccines and thereby improve attitudes about vaccines, especially in the early phases of vaccine roll-out. Further research is needed to understand how social media can contribute to COVID-19 vaccination services.

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Faster than warp speed: early attention to COVD-19 by anti-vaccine groups on Facebook

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/pubmed/fdab093 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Seth C Kalichman ◽

Lisa A Eaton ◽

Valerie A Earnshaw ◽

Natalie Brousseau

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Vaccine Development ◽

Rapid Development ◽

Development Program ◽

Vaccine Safety ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Conspiracy Theories ◽

The Us ◽

Us Government ◽

Vaccine Information

Abstract Background The unprecedented rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has faced SARS-CoV- (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy, which is partially fueled by the misinformation and conspiracy theories propagated by anti-vaccine groups on social media. Research is needed to better understand the early COVID-19 anti-vaccine activities on social media. Methods This study chronicles the social media posts concerning COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines by leading anti-vaccine groups (Dr Tenpenny on Vaccines, the National Vaccine Information Center [NVIC] the Vaccination Information Network [VINE]) and Vaccine Machine in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic (February–May 2020). Results Analysis of 2060 Facebook posts showed that anti-vaccine groups were discussing COVID-19 in the first week of February 2020 and were specifically discussing COVID-19 vaccines by mid-February 2020. COVID-19 posts by NVIC were more widely disseminated and showed greater influence than non-COVID-19 posts. Early COVID-19 posts concerned mistrust of vaccine safety and conspiracy theories. Conclusion Major anti-vaccine groups were sowing seeds of doubt on Facebook weeks before the US government launched its vaccine development program ‘Operation Warp Speed’. Early anti-vaccine misinformation campaigns outpaced public health messaging and hampered the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.

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The dangers of blind trust: Examining the interplay among social media news use, misinformation identification, and news trust on conspiracy beliefs

Public Understanding of Science ◽

10.1177/0963662521998025 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096366252199802

Author(s):

Xizhu Xiao ◽

Porismita Borah ◽

Yan Su

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

National Survey ◽

Conspiracy Theories ◽

News Consumption ◽

Conspiracy Beliefs ◽

Moderation Model ◽

The Relationship ◽

Significant Moderator ◽

News Use

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation has been circulating on social media and multiple conspiracy theories have since become quite popular. We conducted a U.S. national survey for three main purposes. First, we aim to examine the association between social media news consumption and conspiracy beliefs specific to COVID-19 and general conspiracy beliefs. Second, we investigate the influence of an important moderator, social media news trust, that has been overlooked in prior studies. Third, we further propose a moderated moderation model by including misinformation identification. Our findings show that social media news use was associated with higher conspiracy beliefs, and trust in social media news was found to be a significant moderator of the relationship between social media news use and conspiracy beliefs. Moreover, our findings show that misinformation identification moderated the relationship between social media news use and trust. Implications are discussed.

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Of lizards and ideological entrepreneurs: Alex Jones and Infowars in the relationship between populist nationalism and the post-global media ecology

International Communication Gazette ◽

10.1177/1748048519880726 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 82 (1) ◽

pp. 42-59

Author(s):

H Van den Bulck ◽

A Hyzen

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Popular Culture ◽

Business Model ◽

Media Ecology ◽

Global Media ◽

Conspiracy Theories ◽

Digital Platforms ◽

Political Alliances ◽

The Relationship

This contribution analyses the nexus between contemporary US populist nationalism and the post-global media ecology through the case of US radio show host and ‘most paranoid man in America’ Alex Jones and his Infowars. It evaluates the role of Alt Right alternative/activist media and global digital platforms in the success of Jones as ideological entrepreneur. To this end, it looks at Jones’ and Infowars' message (mostly Falls Flag conspiracy theories and pseudo-science-meets-popular-culture fantasy), persona as celebrity populist spectacle, business model, political alliances with Alt Right and Trump, audience as diverse mix of believers and ironic spectators and, most of all, media. In particular, we analyse the mix of legacy and social media and their respective role in his rise and alleged downfall. We evaluate Jones’ efforts as effective ideological entrepreneur, pushing his counter-hegemonic ideology from the fringes to the mainstream.

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Interest in COVID-19 vaccine trials participation among young adults in China: Willingness, reasons for hesitancy, and demographic and psychosocial determinants

10.1101/2020.07.13.20152678 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Shufang Sun ◽

Danhua Lin ◽

Don Operario

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Informed Consent ◽

University Students ◽

Vaccine Development ◽

Scientific Practice ◽

Interactive Effect ◽

Vaccine Trial ◽

Accurate Information ◽

Willingness To Participate ◽

Vaccine Trials

Background: With the demand for rapid COVID-19 vaccine development and evaluation, this paper aimed to describe the prevalence and correlates of willingness to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials among university students in China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey with 1,912 Chinese university students was conducted during March and April 2020. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify variables associated with willingness to participate. Results: The majority of participants (64.01%) indicated willingness to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials. Hesitancy over signing informed consent documents, concerns over time necessary for participating in a medical study, and perceived COVID-19 societal stigma were identified as deterrents, whereas lower socioeconomic status, female gender, perception of likely COVID-19 infection during the pandemic, and COVID-19 prosocial behaviors were facilitative factors. Further, public health mistrust and hesitancy over signing informed consent documents had a significant interactive effect on vaccine trial willingness. Conclusions: High standards of ethical and scientific practice are needed in COVID-19 vaccine research, including providing potential participants full and accurate information and ensuring participation free of coercion, socioeconomic inequality, and stigma. Attending to the needs of marginalized groups and addressing psychosocial factors including stigma and public health mistrust may also be important to COVID-19 vaccine development and future uptake.

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Fear and Derision: A Quantitative Content Analysis of Provaccine and Antivaccine Internet Memes

Health Education & Behavior ◽

10.1177/1090198119866886 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 46 (6) ◽

pp. 1012-1023

Author(s):

Amanda M. Harvey ◽

Sharlynn Thompson ◽

Andrew Lac ◽

Frederick L. Coolidge

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Content Analysis ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Fear Appeals ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Quantitative Content Analysis ◽

Conspiracy Theories ◽

Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽

Quantitative Content ◽

Vaccine Information

The purpose of the study was to examine the characteristics of Internet memes created and disseminated by proponents and opponents of vaccinations. A quantitative content analysis was performed on 234 pro- and antivaccine memes culled from the vaccination fan pages with the greatest number of followers on Facebook. Coding variables included whether the meme was pro- or antivaccine, percentage of factually incorrect claims, mention of the out-group, persuasive appeals (emotion, fear, and rationality), degree of sarcasm, and number of reactions and shares. The most prevalent themes concerned vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccine injury/safety/autism, and conspiracy theories. Independent t tests indicated that provaccination memes were more likely to use sarcasm whereas antivaccination memes were more likely to contain emotion and fear appeals and inaccurate claims. The percentage veracity of the claims in each meme was fact-checked using authoritative scientific sources. A path analysis applying structural equation modeling revealed that memes containing characteristics that were antivaccine (vs. provaccine), appealed to emotion, and appealed to rationality significantly contributed to greater likelihood of social media reactions and shares. Additional analysis determined that both pro- and antivaccination memes tended to contain more gist than verbatim information, and both groups did not significantly differ on this gist-to-verbatim variable. Findings offer insights to understand the persuasion tactics that provaccine and antivaccine groups apply in memes to persuade others via social media. Understanding these techniques will enable the development of health communication strategies to combat false and damaging vaccine information disseminated on the Internet.

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Analysis of Social Media Discussions on (#)Diet by Blue, Red, and Swing States in the U.S.

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9050518 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 518

Author(s):

Amir Karami ◽

Alicia A. Dahl ◽

George Shaw ◽

Sruthi Puthan Valappil ◽

Gabrielle Turner-McGrievy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Population Level ◽

Political Orientation ◽

Dietary Preferences ◽

Wide Range ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Political Orientations ◽

Twitter Users ◽

The Relationship ◽

Analyze Data

The relationship between political affiliations and diet-related discussions on social media has not been studied on a population level. This study used a cost- and -time effective framework to leverage, aggregate, and analyze data from social media. This paper enhances our understanding of diet-related discussions with respect to political orientations in U.S. states. This mixed methods study used computational methods to collect tweets containing “diet” or “#diet” shared in a year, identified tweets posted by U.S. Twitter users, disclosed topics of tweets, and compared democratic, republican, and swing states based on the weight of topics. A qualitative method was employed to code topics. We found 32 unique topics extracted from more than 800,000 tweets, including a wide range of themes, such as diet types and chronic conditions. Based on the comparative analysis of the topic weights, our results revealed a significant difference between democratic, republican, and swing states. The largest difference was detected between swing and democratic states, and the smallest difference was identified between swing and republican states. Our study provides initial insight on the association of potential political leanings with health (e.g., dietary behaviors). Our results show diet discussions differ depending on the political orientation of the state in which Twitter users reside. Understanding the correlation of dietary preferences based on political orientation can help develop targeted and effective health promotion, communication, and policymaking strategies.

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Teaching “Against” Social Media: Confronting Problems of Profit in the Curriculum

Teachers College Record ◽

10.1177/016146811912101410 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 121 (14) ◽

pp. 1-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Daniel G. Krutka ◽

Stefania Manca ◽

Sarah M. Galvin ◽

Christine Greenhow ◽

Matthew J. Koehler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Accurate Information ◽

User Choice ◽

Media Companies ◽

Use Of Data ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

Education And Society ◽

The Relationship ◽

Media Corporations ◽

Do So

Educators increasingly teach with social media in varied ways, but they may do so without considering the ways in which social media corporations profit from their uses or compromise transparency, equity, health, safety, and democracy through the design of platforms. There is a lack of scholarship that addresses the curricular topics that educators might investigate to teach about social media platforms and the potential challenges they pose for education and society. In this article, we draw on sociotechnical theories that conceive of social media as microsystems to understand the relationship between users, education, and social media companies. We identify and describe five topics concerning social media design that educators can consider and investigate with students in a variety of settings: user agreements and use of data; algorithms of oppression, echo, and extremism; distraction, user choice, and access for nonusers; harassment and cyberbullying; and gatekeeping for accurate information. In each case, we suggest curricular possibilities for teaching about social media platforms that draw from intersections of curriculum, media, and educational studies.

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