Matt DeVerna
@matthewdeverna.com
Postdoc with Stanford's Tech Impact and Policy Center
(@techimpactpolicy.bsky.social). Formerly IU / Observatory on Social Media.
Computational social science, human-AI interaction, social media, trust and safety, etc.
🧨 matthewdeverna.com
(@techimpactpolicy.bsky.social). Formerly IU / Observatory on Social Media.
Computational social science, human-AI interaction, social media, trust and safety, etc.
🧨 matthewdeverna.com
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
Is social media to blame for teens’ mental health decline?
Intuition says yes—but RCTs find only small short-term effects when users quit.
This new preprint argues these studies don’t prove social media isn’t to blame.
Here’s why: 3 reasons.
Intuition says yes—but RCTs find only small short-term effects when users quit.
This new preprint argues these studies don’t prove social media isn’t to blame.
Here’s why: 3 reasons.
November 9, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Is social media to blame for teens’ mental health decline?
Intuition says yes—but RCTs find only small short-term effects when users quit.
This new preprint argues these studies don’t prove social media isn’t to blame.
Here’s why: 3 reasons.
Intuition says yes—but RCTs find only small short-term effects when users quit.
This new preprint argues these studies don’t prove social media isn’t to blame.
Here’s why: 3 reasons.
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
🚨 New paper! 🔍
“Question the Questions: Auditing Representation in Online Deliberative Processes”
In deliberative polls, participants propose questions for experts but only a few make it to the panel. How representative are those chosen questions of everyone’s interests? 🧵👇
“Question the Questions: Auditing Representation in Online Deliberative Processes”
In deliberative polls, participants propose questions for experts but only a few make it to the panel. How representative are those chosen questions of everyone’s interests? 🧵👇
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
🚨 New paper! 🔍
“Question the Questions: Auditing Representation in Online Deliberative Processes”
In deliberative polls, participants propose questions for experts but only a few make it to the panel. How representative are those chosen questions of everyone’s interests? 🧵👇
“Question the Questions: Auditing Representation in Online Deliberative Processes”
In deliberative polls, participants propose questions for experts but only a few make it to the panel. How representative are those chosen questions of everyone’s interests? 🧵👇
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
For years, I’ve been obsessed with a number.
What’s the #? It’s the amount Meta earns per year from scam ads. Thanks to @jeffhorwitz.bsky.social, we know it: $16 billion.
Our free @indicator.media Briefing looks at what needs to happen now that we know the number: indicator.media/p/briefing-m...
What’s the #? It’s the amount Meta earns per year from scam ads. Thanks to @jeffhorwitz.bsky.social, we know it: $16 billion.
Our free @indicator.media Briefing looks at what needs to happen now that we know the number: indicator.media/p/briefing-m...
Briefing: Meta's multi-billion dollar scam ad business
Plus: Fox News falls for racist AI slop, and a tool for investigating Discord servers.
indicator.media
November 7, 2025 at 2:10 PM
For years, I’ve been obsessed with a number.
What’s the #? It’s the amount Meta earns per year from scam ads. Thanks to @jeffhorwitz.bsky.social, we know it: $16 billion.
Our free @indicator.media Briefing looks at what needs to happen now that we know the number: indicator.media/p/briefing-m...
What’s the #? It’s the amount Meta earns per year from scam ads. Thanks to @jeffhorwitz.bsky.social, we know it: $16 billion.
Our free @indicator.media Briefing looks at what needs to happen now that we know the number: indicator.media/p/briefing-m...
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
📣 Online platforms shape what we know, how we connect, and who gets heard, yet researcher access to public platform data is shrinking, while platforms monetize this data. Our new report "Better Access" offers a framework for accessing this critical data: kgi.georgetown.edu/research-and...
November 6, 2025 at 2:58 PM
📣 Online platforms shape what we know, how we connect, and who gets heard, yet researcher access to public platform data is shrinking, while platforms monetize this data. Our new report "Better Access" offers a framework for accessing this critical data: kgi.georgetown.edu/research-and...
arxiv.org/abs/2511.02615 from @baottruong.bsky.social et al ...
Community Notes are Vulnerable to Rater Bias and Manipulation
Social media platforms increasingly rely on crowdsourced moderation systems like Community Notes to combat misinformation at scale. However, these systems face challenges from rater bias and potential...
arxiv.org
November 6, 2025 at 1:32 AM
arxiv.org/abs/2511.02615 from @baottruong.bsky.social et al ...
👀👀
🚨 New preprint 🚨
Can AI agents coordinate influence campaigns without human guidance? And how does coordination arise among AI agents? In our latest research, we simulate LLM-powered AI agents acting like users on an online platform, some benign, some running an influence operation
Can AI agents coordinate influence campaigns without human guidance? And how does coordination arise among AI agents? In our latest research, we simulate LLM-powered AI agents acting like users on an online platform, some benign, some running an influence operation
November 4, 2025 at 4:32 AM
👀👀
Interested in how LLM tools are being creatively used for good?
Check out this map of LLM Tools for Public Discourse, Pluralism & Social Cohesion.
Bonus: link to a public dataset of 70+ tools is included in the first page of the report.
Check out this map of LLM Tools for Public Discourse, Pluralism & Social Cohesion.
Bonus: link to a public dataset of 70+ tools is included in the first page of the report.
Report: Mapping LLM Tools for Public Discourse, Pluralism & Social Cohesion
Announcing a map produced by participants in the LLMs for Public Discourse convening
www.prosocialdesign.org
October 30, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Interested in how LLM tools are being creatively used for good?
Check out this map of LLM Tools for Public Discourse, Pluralism & Social Cohesion.
Bonus: link to a public dataset of 70+ tools is included in the first page of the report.
Check out this map of LLM Tools for Public Discourse, Pluralism & Social Cohesion.
Bonus: link to a public dataset of 70+ tools is included in the first page of the report.
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
We have a new preprint: osf.io/preprints/so...
What have we learned about social media - the constantly moving target of empirical research - over the past decade?
What have we learned about social media - the constantly moving target of empirical research - over the past decade?
October 30, 2025 at 10:53 AM
We have a new preprint: osf.io/preprints/so...
What have we learned about social media - the constantly moving target of empirical research - over the past decade?
What have we learned about social media - the constantly moving target of empirical research - over the past decade?
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
Unprecedented corruption. Everyone gets a taste.
October 25, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Unprecedented corruption. Everyone gets a taste.
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
Are Large Language Models Sensitive to the Motives Behind Communication? (Basically yes, although reasoning models underperform, and all of them struggle with online ads in a naturalistic setting.)
arxiv.org/abs/2510.19687
arxiv.org/abs/2510.19687
October 24, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Are Large Language Models Sensitive to the Motives Behind Communication? (Basically yes, although reasoning models underperform, and all of them struggle with online ads in a naturalistic setting.)
arxiv.org/abs/2510.19687
arxiv.org/abs/2510.19687
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
One week left!
Submit your abstract for the #JOTS special issue on Digital Intersectionality and Marginalization in the #MajorityWorld.
🗓️ Deadline: October 31, 2025
🔗 Learn more: bit.ly/4mZDjtb
#TrustAndSafety
Submit your abstract for the #JOTS special issue on Digital Intersectionality and Marginalization in the #MajorityWorld.
🗓️ Deadline: October 31, 2025
🔗 Learn more: bit.ly/4mZDjtb
#TrustAndSafety
October 24, 2025 at 4:59 PM
One week left!
Submit your abstract for the #JOTS special issue on Digital Intersectionality and Marginalization in the #MajorityWorld.
🗓️ Deadline: October 31, 2025
🔗 Learn more: bit.ly/4mZDjtb
#TrustAndSafety
Submit your abstract for the #JOTS special issue on Digital Intersectionality and Marginalization in the #MajorityWorld.
🗓️ Deadline: October 31, 2025
🔗 Learn more: bit.ly/4mZDjtb
#TrustAndSafety
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
Our team presented five papers at the CSCW (computer supported cooperative work and social computing) conference this week in Bergen, Norway. (CSCW is an ACM conference and a “home conference” for my team.) I’m going to share a few highlights in a thread here.
October 22, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Our team presented five papers at the CSCW (computer supported cooperative work and social computing) conference this week in Bergen, Norway. (CSCW is an ACM conference and a “home conference” for my team.) I’m going to share a few highlights in a thread here.
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
Three new NERDS publications: Polarization, image-to-text-mapping, and candidate recommendation
nerds.itu.dk/2025/09/30/t...
nerds.itu.dk/2025/09/30/t...
September 30, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Three new NERDS publications: Polarization, image-to-text-mapping, and candidate recommendation
nerds.itu.dk/2025/09/30/t...
nerds.itu.dk/2025/09/30/t...
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
“Wait, what is this exactly?” 🤔
New in @hbr.org, Director Jeff Hancock, PhD candidate Angela Lee, and co-authors from BetterUp Labs discuss the surge in AI-generated "workslop" and its implications for today's workers and business leaders.
#workslop #AI
New in @hbr.org, Director Jeff Hancock, PhD candidate Angela Lee, and co-authors from BetterUp Labs discuss the surge in AI-generated "workslop" and its implications for today's workers and business leaders.
#workslop #AI
AI-Generated “Workslop” Is Destroying Productivity
Despite a surge in generative AI use across workplaces, most companies are seeing little measurable ROI. One possible reason is because AI tools are being used to produce “workslop”—content that appea...
hbr.org
September 23, 2025 at 9:16 PM
One week to the Trust and Safety Research Conference!
Stoked to see you there and for the amazing program!
@stanfordcyber.bsky.social
Stoked to see you there and for the amazing program!
@stanfordcyber.bsky.social
Trust and Safety Research Conference 2025
cyber.fsi.stanford.edu
September 18, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One week to the Trust and Safety Research Conference!
Stoked to see you there and for the amazing program!
@stanfordcyber.bsky.social
Stoked to see you there and for the amazing program!
@stanfordcyber.bsky.social
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
📣 Yale workshop, Oct 16-17! 📣 How could/should content ranking work? What's new in content moderation? How can platforms promote civility? Hosted by Yale's Institute for Foundations of Data Science (FDS). Great speakers! Submit posters by 9/22! Spread the word! yalefds.swoogo.com/socialalgori...
New Directions in Social Algorithms Research on October 16-17, 2025 at Yale University
As social media algorithms increasingly mediate social experiences, there has been a rapid increase in research on the effects of how these algorithms are configured, alternatives to engagement-centri...
yalefds.swoogo.com
September 12, 2025 at 12:28 PM
📣 Yale workshop, Oct 16-17! 📣 How could/should content ranking work? What's new in content moderation? How can platforms promote civility? Hosted by Yale's Institute for Foundations of Data Science (FDS). Great speakers! Submit posters by 9/22! Spread the word! yalefds.swoogo.com/socialalgori...
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
The agenda for the Trust and Safety Research Conference is out now. Two days of lightning talks, presentations, networking and more, with @dwillner.bsky.social as keynote. Join us!
For the full line-up and times, plus link to register, visit:
cyber.fsi.stanford.edu/content/trus...
For the full line-up and times, plus link to register, visit:
cyber.fsi.stanford.edu/content/trus...
August 20, 2025 at 6:46 PM
The agenda for the Trust and Safety Research Conference is out now. Two days of lightning talks, presentations, networking and more, with @dwillner.bsky.social as keynote. Join us!
For the full line-up and times, plus link to register, visit:
cyber.fsi.stanford.edu/content/trus...
For the full line-up and times, plus link to register, visit:
cyber.fsi.stanford.edu/content/trus...
Looking forward to moderating the 💥 AI and Algorithm Auditing 💥 session in just a few weeks at the Trust and Safety Research Conference at Stanford!!
🎟️ Last chance to register! sto.stanfordtickets.org/the-2025-tru...
#TSRConf
@stanfordcyber.bsky.social
🎟️ Last chance to register! sto.stanfordtickets.org/the-2025-tru...
#TSRConf
@stanfordcyber.bsky.social
August 26, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Looking forward to moderating the 💥 AI and Algorithm Auditing 💥 session in just a few weeks at the Trust and Safety Research Conference at Stanford!!
🎟️ Last chance to register! sto.stanfordtickets.org/the-2025-tru...
#TSRConf
@stanfordcyber.bsky.social
🎟️ Last chance to register! sto.stanfordtickets.org/the-2025-tru...
#TSRConf
@stanfordcyber.bsky.social
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
Today, we’re proud to share the Coalition’s new report: The State of Independent Technology Research: Power in Numbers
It's an offering to our community and all researchers doing public interest work–a reflection of collective strength, solidarity and persistence in the face of adversity. (1/2)
It's an offering to our community and all researchers doing public interest work–a reflection of collective strength, solidarity and persistence in the face of adversity. (1/2)
August 19, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Today, we’re proud to share the Coalition’s new report: The State of Independent Technology Research: Power in Numbers
It's an offering to our community and all researchers doing public interest work–a reflection of collective strength, solidarity and persistence in the face of adversity. (1/2)
It's an offering to our community and all researchers doing public interest work–a reflection of collective strength, solidarity and persistence in the face of adversity. (1/2)
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
We're the University of Washington Information School, aka UW iSchool, based in beautiful Seattle. We offer five degree programs, and our graduates use their expertise for the advancement of science, business, education, and culture. Check out our website to learn more: ischool.uw.edu
July 25, 2025 at 11:29 PM
We're the University of Washington Information School, aka UW iSchool, based in beautiful Seattle. We offer five degree programs, and our graduates use their expertise for the advancement of science, business, education, and culture. Check out our website to learn more: ischool.uw.edu
Reposted by Matt DeVerna
In addition to the original UK results, we have now ***replicated*** this (TWICE) in the US.
The main findings hold strong: information diets are a lot more diverse in attention than in engagement.
New version here: osf.io/preprints/os...
The main findings hold strong: information diets are a lot more diverse in attention than in engagement.
New version here: osf.io/preprints/os...
July 22, 2025 at 8:27 AM
In addition to the original UK results, we have now ***replicated*** this (TWICE) in the US.
The main findings hold strong: information diets are a lot more diverse in attention than in engagement.
New version here: osf.io/preprints/os...
The main findings hold strong: information diets are a lot more diverse in attention than in engagement.
New version here: osf.io/preprints/os...