Social Media and Society: An Introduction to the Mass Media Landscape

WINNER 2026 Textbook Excellence Award - Textbook & Academic Authors AssociationExploring social media's integration with modern society, this text empowers students as social media consumers and creators. The thoroughly updated second edition includes a new chapter on AI technologies. Features include full color visuals; glossary; chapter questions and activities; and theory, ethics, and diversity and inclusion boxes.Features of the Fifth Edition:New Chapter 5 "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence" explores the emergence and impact of AI, AR, ML, and IR technologies and the benefits and concerns they present for society.In Theory Boxes attach theoretical concepts to practice and engage students with a final Think About It question.Relational/Societal/Self Boxes offer unifying perspectives to help provide students with a greater understanding of how technology, culture, democracy, economy, and audience fragmentation interact. Each box ends with one or more Think About It questions.Ethical Spotlight Boxes reveal ethical dilemmas to get students asking about what's right and wrong and who gets to decide within the social media landscape. Ethics discussions foster critical reflection on key concepts, encouraging students to engage thoughtfully with the material.Ancillary materials include an instructor's manual, quizzes, lecture slides, and a sample syllabus. More resources can be found on the author's website, ginaluttrellphd.com/assets. Read more