Media Psychology Lab
@mediapsychologylab.bsky.social
KU Leuven, Department of Communication Science, Media Psychology Lab; researchers interested in the academic and fundamental study of media uses and effects
✨ Ending the year with recent publications from the Media Psychology Lab ✨
As we step into the new year, we’re looking back at a series of publications that appeared just before the year wrapped up. 📚
As we step into the new year, we’re looking back at a series of publications that appeared just before the year wrapped up. 📚
January 6, 2026 at 9:34 AM
✨ Ending the year with recent publications from the Media Psychology Lab ✨
As we step into the new year, we’re looking back at a series of publications that appeared just before the year wrapped up. 📚
As we step into the new year, we’re looking back at a series of publications that appeared just before the year wrapped up. 📚
@gvanhoffelen.bsky.social was a guest on the @vrtnws.be Late News. With @timverheyden.bsky.social, VRT's digital media expert, she contextualized the recent social media ban in Australia and answered live questions from viewers about the impact of social media on youth👏
📺 www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/v...
📺 www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/v...
December 15, 2025 at 9:33 AM
@gvanhoffelen.bsky.social was a guest on the @vrtnws.be Late News. With @timverheyden.bsky.social, VRT's digital media expert, she contextualized the recent social media ban in Australia and answered live questions from viewers about the impact of social media on youth👏
📺 www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/v...
📺 www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/v...
In an interview with the Dutch newspaper @nu.nl, our PhD student @gvanhoffelen.bsky.social explained the implications of Australia’s social-media ban for children under 16.
Read the article below for more details. www.nu.nl/tech/6378867...
Read the article below for more details. www.nu.nl/tech/6378867...
Australië is eerste met socialemediaverbod, maar dat lost probleem niet op
In Australië mogen jongeren onder de zestien jaar vanaf woensdag niet meer op socialemediaplatforms zoals TikTok, Instagram en Snapchat. Ook in Nederland gaan regelmatig stemmen op voor zo'n verbod, m...
www.nu.nl
December 11, 2025 at 7:06 PM
In an interview with the Dutch newspaper @nu.nl, our PhD student @gvanhoffelen.bsky.social explained the implications of Australia’s social-media ban for children under 16.
Read the article below for more details. www.nu.nl/tech/6378867...
Read the article below for more details. www.nu.nl/tech/6378867...
@lauravandenbosch.bsky.social and @jasminarosic.bsky.social wrote a blog for @medialearning.bsky.social, sharing key insights from the @erc.europa.eu MIMIc project, wrapping up this year.
🧠 Curious about what the research uncovered?
Read the full blog:
media-and-learning.eu/subject/medi...
🧠 Curious about what the research uncovered?
Read the full blog:
media-and-learning.eu/subject/medi...
Mimicking the screen: what the MIMIc project reveals about teens and screens
by Laura Vandenbosch and Jasmina Rosič, KU Leuven, Department of Communication Science, Media Psychology Lab, Belgium. In the years after the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization urged…
media-and-learning.eu
December 4, 2025 at 3:10 PM
@lauravandenbosch.bsky.social and @jasminarosic.bsky.social wrote a blog for @medialearning.bsky.social, sharing key insights from the @erc.europa.eu MIMIc project, wrapping up this year.
🧠 Curious about what the research uncovered?
Read the full blog:
media-and-learning.eu/subject/medi...
🧠 Curious about what the research uncovered?
Read the full blog:
media-and-learning.eu/subject/medi...
@lisemarienassen.bsky.social spoke with @vtmnieuws.be about a Harvard study showing that social media detox can benefit well-being
🎥 youtube.com/shorts/7CJ59...
With @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social she also discussed teens' disconnection habits in @standaard.be
📰 www.standaard.be/binnenland/l...
🎥 youtube.com/shorts/7CJ59...
With @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social she also discussed teens' disconnection habits in @standaard.be
📰 www.standaard.be/binnenland/l...
November 28, 2025 at 8:13 AM
@lisemarienassen.bsky.social spoke with @vtmnieuws.be about a Harvard study showing that social media detox can benefit well-being
🎥 youtube.com/shorts/7CJ59...
With @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social she also discussed teens' disconnection habits in @standaard.be
📰 www.standaard.be/binnenland/l...
🎥 youtube.com/shorts/7CJ59...
With @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social she also discussed teens' disconnection habits in @standaard.be
📰 www.standaard.be/binnenland/l...
Parasocial has been named the Cambridge Dictionary’s Word of the Year.
@lauravandenbosch.bsky.social was invited to @vrtnws.be Laat to unpack what parasocial interactions really are and why they’ve become so central in our increasingly digital media landscape
📺Watch: www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/v...
@lauravandenbosch.bsky.social was invited to @vrtnws.be Laat to unpack what parasocial interactions really are and why they’ve become so central in our increasingly digital media landscape
📺Watch: www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/v...
November 20, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Parasocial has been named the Cambridge Dictionary’s Word of the Year.
@lauravandenbosch.bsky.social was invited to @vrtnws.be Laat to unpack what parasocial interactions really are and why they’ve become so central in our increasingly digital media landscape
📺Watch: www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/v...
@lauravandenbosch.bsky.social was invited to @vrtnws.be Laat to unpack what parasocial interactions really are and why they’ve become so central in our increasingly digital media landscape
📺Watch: www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/v...
Great news from the Media Psychology Lab! 🎉
Femke Konings was elected Secretary of ICA’s Mass Communication Division, and Lise-Marie Nassen of the Mobile Communication Division.
Ellen Van Houtven joined NeFCA’s Media Psychology Division as PhD Rep, and Ines Boeckxstaens the Young Scholars Network. 👏
Femke Konings was elected Secretary of ICA’s Mass Communication Division, and Lise-Marie Nassen of the Mobile Communication Division.
Ellen Van Houtven joined NeFCA’s Media Psychology Division as PhD Rep, and Ines Boeckxstaens the Young Scholars Network. 👏
November 12, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Great news from the Media Psychology Lab! 🎉
Femke Konings was elected Secretary of ICA’s Mass Communication Division, and Lise-Marie Nassen of the Mobile Communication Division.
Ellen Van Houtven joined NeFCA’s Media Psychology Division as PhD Rep, and Ines Boeckxstaens the Young Scholars Network. 👏
Femke Konings was elected Secretary of ICA’s Mass Communication Division, and Lise-Marie Nassen of the Mobile Communication Division.
Ellen Van Houtven joined NeFCA’s Media Psychology Division as PhD Rep, and Ines Boeckxstaens the Young Scholars Network. 👏
We had the honor of hosting Prof. Erica Scharrer from the @umassamherst.bsky.social! During her visit, she delivered inspiring lectures for our Master’s students and research department on 'Sephora Kids', social media, aging anxiety, and skincare consumer behavior, sparking interesting discussions
November 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
We had the honor of hosting Prof. Erica Scharrer from the @umassamherst.bsky.social! During her visit, she delivered inspiring lectures for our Master’s students and research department on 'Sephora Kids', social media, aging anxiety, and skincare consumer behavior, sparking interesting discussions
Our postdoctoral researcher @gonzalezanaelle.bsky.social won 3rd place at the One Health Day Art & Photography Competition by #OneHealthInstitution for her poem–collage The Object.
The piece reflects on how screens & social media connect and distance us from ourselves, others, and our environments.
The piece reflects on how screens & social media connect and distance us from ourselves, others, and our environments.
November 5, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Our postdoctoral researcher @gonzalezanaelle.bsky.social won 3rd place at the One Health Day Art & Photography Competition by #OneHealthInstitution for her poem–collage The Object.
The piece reflects on how screens & social media connect and distance us from ourselves, others, and our environments.
The piece reflects on how screens & social media connect and distance us from ourselves, others, and our environments.
We were delighted to host Alfredo Zarco Alpuente (University of Valencia) for a research stay! Hosted by @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social, he and @jasminarosic.bsky.social examined the views of parents, teachers, and coaches on young athletes' digital well-being. Best of luck with your PhD, Alfredo!
November 2, 2025 at 1:48 PM
We were delighted to host Alfredo Zarco Alpuente (University of Valencia) for a research stay! Hosted by @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social, he and @jasminarosic.bsky.social examined the views of parents, teachers, and coaches on young athletes' digital well-being. Best of luck with your PhD, Alfredo!
@lauravandenbosch.bsky.social has been taking part in an @erc.europa.eu pilot project with a select group of grantees on data access for research under the Digital Services Act. On 22 October, the ERC will host an event to share insights from this project.👀Interested? erc.europa.eu/news-events/...
ERC Workshop on data access under the Digital Services Act (DSA) Article 40
The Digital Services Act (DSA) is an European legislation that specifies a set of rules to make the digital space safer and more trustworthy for users.
erc.europa.eu
October 17, 2025 at 3:44 PM
@lauravandenbosch.bsky.social has been taking part in an @erc.europa.eu pilot project with a select group of grantees on data access for research under the Digital Services Act. On 22 October, the ERC will host an event to share insights from this project.👀Interested? erc.europa.eu/news-events/...
To what extent and which adolescents experience positive digital experiences? In a recent KU Leuven Child and Youth Institute blog post, @jasminarosic.bsky.social and @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social explore this question.
🔗 Read more: www.kuleuven.be/child-youth/...
🔗 Read more: www.kuleuven.be/child-youth/...
De realiteit achter positieve digitale ervaringen: ja, tieners kunnen online floreren—maar niet allemaal en niet even sterk
www.kuleuven.be
October 16, 2025 at 12:42 PM
To what extent and which adolescents experience positive digital experiences? In a recent KU Leuven Child and Youth Institute blog post, @jasminarosic.bsky.social and @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social explore this question.
🔗 Read more: www.kuleuven.be/child-youth/...
🔗 Read more: www.kuleuven.be/child-youth/...
Our PhD student @margotlissens.bsky.social returned from a research stay with @desireeschmuck.bsky.social at the @vmci-univie.bsky.social. She worked on an ongoing project and participated in the symposium “How Digital Interventions Affect Political Attitudes and Knowledge among Young Citizens”.
October 15, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Our PhD student @margotlissens.bsky.social returned from a research stay with @desireeschmuck.bsky.social at the @vmci-univie.bsky.social. She worked on an ongoing project and participated in the symposium “How Digital Interventions Affect Political Attitudes and Knowledge among Young Citizens”.
🎓Congratulations to @jasminarosic.bsky.social for defending her PhD: “Growing up in a digital world: Understanding the perceived positive experiences of digital media use among (disadvantaged) adolescents” supervised by @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social & Bojana Lobe, and funded by @erc.europa.eu.
September 30, 2025 at 3:17 PM
🎓Congratulations to @jasminarosic.bsky.social for defending her PhD: “Growing up in a digital world: Understanding the perceived positive experiences of digital media use among (disadvantaged) adolescents” supervised by @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social & Bojana Lobe, and funded by @erc.europa.eu.
🎓Last Monday, @gonzalezanaelle.bsky.social successfully defended her PhD dissertation “Politics Undercover: Understanding the role of social media personalities in adolescents’ development of the political self,” supervised by @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social and funded by @erc.europa.eu👏Congrats!
September 30, 2025 at 3:04 PM
🎓Last Monday, @gonzalezanaelle.bsky.social successfully defended her PhD dissertation “Politics Undercover: Understanding the role of social media personalities in adolescents’ development of the political self,” supervised by @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social and funded by @erc.europa.eu👏Congrats!
We attended the @digisoc.bsky.social International Conference for an Inclusive Digital Society in Leuven.👏@robynvanherle.bsky.social (co-)presented 2 mHealth studies, 1 with @svestkova-ady.bsky.social, @irtis.bsky.social. @luca-carbone.bsky.social presented on meritocratic masculinities in music.
September 18, 2025 at 7:06 AM
We attended the @digisoc.bsky.social International Conference for an Inclusive Digital Society in Leuven.👏@robynvanherle.bsky.social (co-)presented 2 mHealth studies, 1 with @svestkova-ady.bsky.social, @irtis.bsky.social. @luca-carbone.bsky.social presented on meritocratic masculinities in music.
Last week @ines-b.bsky.social & @laraschreurs.bsky.social took part in the 14th Media Psych Conference in Duisburg. Ines presented their study on parental mediation of children’s digital media and participated in the pre-conference doctoral workshop. Thanks to the organizers for the inspiring days!
September 17, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Last week @ines-b.bsky.social & @laraschreurs.bsky.social took part in the 14th Media Psych Conference in Duisburg. Ines presented their study on parental mediation of children’s digital media and participated in the pre-conference doctoral workshop. Thanks to the organizers for the inspiring days!
In a recent SWAY (Social Sciences for Society) blog, @femkekonings.bsky.social, @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social, & Sindy Sumter unpack how mobile dating apps shape young adults’ self-image, relationships, and well-being.
👉 soc.kuleuven.be/sway/verhale...
👉 soc.kuleuven.be/sway/verhale...
Meer dan een swipe: hoe datingapps het zelfbeeld en welzijn van jongeren beïnvloeden | SWAY
Mobiele dating apps zoals Tinder en Bumble zijn niet meer weg te denken uit het liefdesleven van jongvolwassenen. Maar hoe beïnvloeden deze apps de manier waarop jongeren zichzelf presenteren, relatie...
soc.kuleuven.be
September 17, 2025 at 6:37 AM
In a recent SWAY (Social Sciences for Society) blog, @femkekonings.bsky.social, @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social, & Sindy Sumter unpack how mobile dating apps shape young adults’ self-image, relationships, and well-being.
👉 soc.kuleuven.be/sway/verhale...
👉 soc.kuleuven.be/sway/verhale...
Yesterday, our Lab joined Eetexpert’s Kennisdag on youth body satisfaction. @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social shared new findings on social media and body perception, while @nelejanssens.bsky.social & @laurededecker.bsky.social presented media parenting practices. Thanks, Eetexpert for an inspiring day!
September 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Yesterday, our Lab joined Eetexpert’s Kennisdag on youth body satisfaction. @lauravandenbosch.bsky.social shared new findings on social media and body perception, while @nelejanssens.bsky.social & @laurededecker.bsky.social presented media parenting practices. Thanks, Eetexpert for an inspiring day!
✨ We’re wrapping up our writing retreat—reflecting on our work from the past year and recharging with fresh ideas. Feeling inspired and ready to the new academic year ahead!
September 10, 2025 at 10:25 AM
✨ We’re wrapping up our writing retreat—reflecting on our work from the past year and recharging with fresh ideas. Feeling inspired and ready to the new academic year ahead!
📺 Prof. @kathbeullens.bsky.social (KU Leuven) in De Afspraak over het #smartphoneverbod in het onderwijs.
Hoe vullen scholen dit in? Hoe controleer je naleving? En: helpt het écht tegen schermverslaving?
👉 Herbekijk via VRT Max: www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/d...
Hoe vullen scholen dit in? Hoe controleer je naleving? En: helpt het écht tegen schermverslaving?
👉 Herbekijk via VRT Max: www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/d...
September 3, 2025 at 12:59 PM
📺 Prof. @kathbeullens.bsky.social (KU Leuven) in De Afspraak over het #smartphoneverbod in het onderwijs.
Hoe vullen scholen dit in? Hoe controleer je naleving? En: helpt het écht tegen schermverslaving?
👉 Herbekijk via VRT Max: www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/d...
Hoe vullen scholen dit in? Hoe controleer je naleving? En: helpt het écht tegen schermverslaving?
👉 Herbekijk via VRT Max: www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/d...
🎉Great news from our team: our PhD student Esmée Mooren has received the University Study Prize from Radboud University Nijmegen for her master’s thesis “They have made me prouder”: A generational perspective on the collective histories and future of lesbian representation.
www.ru.nl/en/about-us/...
www.ru.nl/en/about-us/...
September 2, 2025 at 8:52 AM
🎉Great news from our team: our PhD student Esmée Mooren has received the University Study Prize from Radboud University Nijmegen for her master’s thesis “They have made me prouder”: A generational perspective on the collective histories and future of lesbian representation.
www.ru.nl/en/about-us/...
www.ru.nl/en/about-us/...
🌞 Here’s a look back at the research our team and valued collaborators published during summer 2025.
September 1, 2025 at 8:30 AM
🌞 Here’s a look back at the research our team and valued collaborators published during summer 2025.
Our research from the MIMIc project, funded by the @erc.europa.eu, has been featured in HORIZON: the EU Research & Innovation magazine!
📰 Read the full article:
projects.research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/en/horizon-m...
🎥 Watch the video feature: www.facebook.com/horizon.maga...
📰 Read the full article:
projects.research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/en/horizon-m...
🎥 Watch the video feature: www.facebook.com/horizon.maga...
🌐📱 How is digital media shaping the mental health of young Europeans?
#EUfunded researchers are uncovering the hidden impact of extensive online activity on teens’ wellbeing, sense of identity and so...
🌐📱 How is digital media shaping the mental health of young Europeans?
#EUfunded researchers are uncovering the hidden impact of extensive online activity on teens’ wellbeing, sense of identity and...
www.facebook.com
July 16, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Our research from the MIMIc project, funded by the @erc.europa.eu, has been featured in HORIZON: the EU Research & Innovation magazine!
📰 Read the full article:
projects.research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/en/horizon-m...
🎥 Watch the video feature: www.facebook.com/horizon.maga...
📰 Read the full article:
projects.research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/en/horizon-m...
🎥 Watch the video feature: www.facebook.com/horizon.maga...
🧠✨ New from the Media Psychology Lab:
Research on adolescents, social media, influencers, digital well-being & more — new publications from May–June 2025! Find out more: soc.kuleuven.be/smc/news/med...
Research on adolescents, social media, influencers, digital well-being & more — new publications from May–June 2025! Find out more: soc.kuleuven.be/smc/news/med...
Media Psychology Lab's Publications - May-June 2025
soc.kuleuven.be
July 11, 2025 at 10:45 AM
🧠✨ New from the Media Psychology Lab:
Research on adolescents, social media, influencers, digital well-being & more — new publications from May–June 2025! Find out more: soc.kuleuven.be/smc/news/med...
Research on adolescents, social media, influencers, digital well-being & more — new publications from May–June 2025! Find out more: soc.kuleuven.be/smc/news/med...