Version 1
: Received: 26 September 2023 / Approved: 27 September 2023 / Online: 28 September 2023 (17:56:59 CEST)
How to cite:
Williams, R.T. Analysing the Parallels and Trajectories of Social Media and Big Tobacco. Preprints2023, 2023091876. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202309.1876.v1
Williams, R.T. Analysing the Parallels and Trajectories of Social Media and Big Tobacco. Preprints 2023, 2023091876. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202309.1876.v1
Williams, R.T. Analysing the Parallels and Trajectories of Social Media and Big Tobacco. Preprints2023, 2023091876. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202309.1876.v1
APA Style
Williams, R.T. (2023). Analysing the Parallels and Trajectories of Social Media and Big Tobacco. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202309.1876.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Williams, R.T. 2023 "Analysing the Parallels and Trajectories of Social Media and Big Tobacco" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202309.1876.v1
Abstract
This article explores the significant parallels between big tobacco companies and major social networking sites regarding their influence on public health and society. While acknowledging the fundamental differences in their products and services, the paper scrutinises both industries through five primary lenses: addiction, misinformation, lack of regulation, harm to public health, and youth targeting. Both industries exhibit addictive characteristics, have faced criticism for the spread of misinformation, operate with limited regulation and transparency, and have raised concerns about targeting young demographics. Moreover, the potential harm to public health is a significant concern, with tobacco leading to well-established physical health issues. At the same time, excessive social media use has been linked to psychological harm, particularly among young users. The comparison underscores the necessity for greater regulation and oversight of social media companies, highlighting the urgent need for more comprehensive policies to mitigate potential harm and safeguard public health in the digital age.
Keywords
public health; social media; misinformation; addiction
Subject
Business, Economics and Management, Business and Management
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
