An article published on the University of Washington website, “‘I miss you so much’: How Twitter is broadening the conversation on death and mourning” provides details of the research paper.
The article begins:
Death and mourning were largely considered private matters in the 20th century, with the public remembrances common in previous eras replaced by intimate gatherings behind closed doors in funeral parlors and family homes.
But social media is redefining how people grieve, and Twitter in particular — with its ephemeral mix of rapid-fire broadcast and personal expression — is widening the conversation around death and mourning, two University of Washington sociologists say.
Among the findings shared:
- Some users maintained bonds with the dead person by sharing memories and life updates
- Some posted intimate messages while others commented on the nature of the death
- Others expressed thoughts on life and mortality
- Some users made judgmental comments about the deceased
Read the article online.
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