Contagion via Media Use

This entry identifies the research area of information diffusion, provides historical context and reviews current directions. It identifies the factors that affect diffusion and virality of messages, tying into existing influential frameworks. It also reviews how message content, specific social media behaviors, and the status of the sender (in terms of their friends and followers counts) may have the potential to affect information contagion. The entry concludes with a discussion of recommended next steps in research.