Title: Unveiling the social media surveillance research: themes, ethics and global implications

Authors: Md Nurul Islam

Addresses: School of Information Management, Institute of Government Data Resources, Nanjing University, Qixia, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

Abstract: This systematic bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape of social media surveillance. It explores key themes, methodologies and scholarly contributions in the field, highlighting its multidisciplinary nature. Notably, the study delves beyond technology, addressing ethical, privacy and civil liberties concerns associated with monitoring online activities and social networks. The themes identified in the literature encompass ethical considerations, political and social implications, algorithmic biases and the role of social media in public health and disease surveillance. The importance of international collaboration and shared ethical standards to tackle global challenges related to social media surveillance is emphasised. It informs future academic research by identifying knowledge gaps and emerging trends. Policymakers can use these insights to craft ethical guidelines and policies, while industry practices can adopt responsible data usage measures. Public awareness and education initiatives benefit from a deeper understanding of the implications of social media surveillance.

Keywords: ethical considerations; multidisciplinary; algorithmic biases; global collaboration; privacy concerns.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMARTTL.2025.146288

International Journal of Smart Technology and Learning, 2025 Vol.4 No.3, pp.203 - 228

Received: 03 May 2024
Accepted: 18 Jun 2024
Published online: 16 May 2025 *

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