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- ItemReddit as a “Safe Space”: Topic Modeling of Online Mental Health Communities for Depression and Anxiety(Weizenbaum Institute, 2025-05-12) Grub, Maria F.This study explores the thematic landscape of depression, anxiety, and general mental health communities on Reddit, examining how users seek support within these online health communities (OHCs). Grounded in community theory, which frames OHCs as spaces for connection, shared identity, and collective learning (Wenger-Trayner & Wenger-Trayner, 2015), this research identifies unique and overlapping themes across 16 subreddits. The results show that all three communities address four main thematic categories (everyday life, dealing with the disease, diagnosis, and therapy) and prioritize emotional support over medical information-seeking. However, each community has a distinct focus: depression discussions revolve around negative self-reflection, anxiety communities emphasize active coping and stress relief, and broader mental health communities address diverse topics, including trauma. By highlighting OHCs’ dual role in providing emotional and informational support, this study advances health communication science, underscoring the therapeutic value of online spaces in reducing isolation and offering alternative support networks. Future research should examine interaction dynamics to improve the understanding of how OHCs contribute to positive coping strategies.
- ItemDark Patterns and Addictive Designs(Weizenbaum Institute, 2025-05-12) Ye, XinThe proliferation of digital platforms has given rise to manipulative design practices known as “dark patterns,” which exploit users’ vulnerabilities to influence behavior, leading them to make decisions against their own interests. Among these, addictive designs have emerged as a particularly concerning subset, systematically capturing and manipulating user attention to create compulsive engagement. This paper explores the concept of addictive designs as a type of dark pattern, examining their manipulative nature, impact on user autonomy, and potential harm to well-being. By analyzing the current legal framework in the European Union related to dark patterns, including the General Data Protection Regulation, the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, the Digital Services Act, this paper identifies significant gaps in how the challenges posed by addictive designs are addressed. The paper makes three key suggestions for effectively regulating these practices and protecting users’ rights: clarifying the definition and scope of dark patterns to encompass both interface designs and algorithmic systems; recognizing the value of attention in shaping personal autonomy and considering attention rights as a distinct category of protection in digital regulations; and amending consumer protection laws to address the online manipulation of digital markets.