Cross-Platform Social Dynamics: An Analysis of ChatGPT and COVID-19 Vaccine Conversations

• Main Authors: Alipour, Shayan, Galeazzi, Alessandro, Sangiorgio, Emanuele, Avalle, Michele, Bojic, Ljubisa, Cinelli, Matteo, Quattrociocchi, Walter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 17-10-2023
• Subjects: Computer Science - Computers and Society; Physics - Physics and Society
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2310.11116

The role of social media in information dissemination and agenda-setting has
significantly expanded in recent years. By offering real-time interactions,
online platforms have become invaluable tools for studying societal responses
to significant events as they unfold. However, online reactions to external
developments are influenced by various factors, including the nature of the
event and the online environment. This study examines the dynamics of public
discourse on digital platforms to shed light on this issue. We analyzed over 12
million posts and news articles related to two significant events: the release
of ChatGPT in 2022 and the global discussions about COVID-19 vaccines in 2021.
Data was collected from multiple platforms, including Twitter, Facebook,
Instagram, Reddit, YouTube, and GDELT. We employed topic modeling techniques to
uncover the distinct thematic emphases on each platform, which reflect their
specific features and target audiences. Additionally, sentiment analysis
revealed various public perceptions regarding the topics studied. Lastly, we
compared the evolution of engagement across platforms, unveiling unique
patterns for the same topic. Notably, discussions about COVID-19 vaccines
spread more rapidly due to the immediacy of the subject, while discussions
about ChatGPT, despite its technological importance, propagated more gradually.