The relationship between social media and human well-being is one of the most urgent questions in health communication today.

We are now accepting submissions for the Well-Being: Physical and Mental section of Social Media in Culture & Society, an Oxford Intersections series published by Oxford University Press.

Social media plays a complex role in shaping physical and mental well-being, offering opportunities for connection, support, and health awareness while also introducing risks such as misinformation, cyberbullying, and addictive behaviours. This section explores how platform design, data practices, and emerging technologies like AI influence user well-being, highlighting tensions between empowerment and harm alongside key issues of privacy, autonomy, and ethical governance.

We welcome rigorous, interdisciplinary scholarship at the intersection of health communication, digital media, and well-being — including topics such as:

→ Social connectivity: balancing community benefits and cyber risks
→ Cyberbullying in the digital age: identification, prevention, and support
→ The weight of online personas: pressures and expectations
→ Cognitive impact of digital overload and constant content consumption
→ Strategies for digital detox and mental well-being
→ Positive digital environments: building safe and supportive communities
→ The role of social media in mental health awareness and advocacy
→ Datafication of well-being

We welcome original research across theoretical, quantitative, qualitative, and computational social science approaches. Health communication scholars are especially encouraged to submit. We also welcome submissions from doctoral candidates in the final stages of their dissertation.

Please contact eeikey@ucsd.edu with questions or abstract submissions.