Social Media

Negative Commenting and the Myth of Anonymity

posted October 16, 2012 by T.J. DeGroat

New research has thrown a twist into the accepted idea that online anonymity spurs negative commenting — as it turns out, even when people use their true identities, they’re quick to devolve into childish, insult-slinging versions of themselves. Why? Read more »

Social Media

College 2.0: Attracting Students in the Digital Age

posted October 3, 2012 by T.J. DeGroat

We’ve come a long way since the days of glossy brochures and gargantuan ranking books. Today’s high schoolers pay attention to whether admissions counselors offer video chats, Pinterest presences, or Facebook promotions. Read more »

Social Media

The Politics of Facebook

posted September 10, 2012 by Hannah Rubenstein

Can posting political screeds on social media sites actually change the minds of your friends and acquaintances, or is it a waste of time and energy? Read more »

Social Media

The Social Media Olympics’ Gold Medal Winners

posted August 21, 2012 by T.J. DeGroat

The 2012 London Games were widely considered to be the first “Social Media Olympics.” So who were the gold medal winners? Read more »

Product

Are You a Social Reader Reader?

posted August 10, 2012 by Emily Schwartz

Using visual.ly data, we took a look at who comprises our Washington Post Social Reader Fan Page audience. Are you represented? Read more »

Social Media

Facebook: for Finding Friends — and Foes

posted July 31, 2012 by T.J. DeGroat

Hey, hooligan: Why are you bragging about stealing that hipster’s iPhone on Twitter? Cops use social media, too! Read more »

Social Media

Battle of the Sexes: Who’s Winning the Social Media War?

posted July 5, 2012 by Hannah Rubenstein

Women are from Pinterest; men are from Reddit. But when it comes to the industry as a whole, which sex is more actively tweeting, posting, tagging, and friending? Read more »

Social Media

London 2012: The First Social Media Olympics

posted July 3, 2012 by T.J. DeGroat

Among the millions of people furiously updating their social networks during the 2012 Olympics will be athletes, who will offer fans a remarkable new kind of access to this year’s events. Read more »

Product

UX Principle: Simplicity

posted May 29, 2012 by Michael Ferguson

In this week’s UX Principle post, Michael Ferguson discusses an idea integral to UX thinking: the principle of simplicity. Read more »

Social Media

Planning for the Final Logoff With a Social Media Will

posted May 10, 2012 by Hannah Rubenstein

What will happen to your Facebook account when you die? How about all of those unanswered emails? Should someone let your Twitter followers know? What about your blog? Enter the social media will – endorsed by none other than the U.S. government. Read more »