Testing prosocial uses of media and technology
BlueBots is an early-stage research collective. We are currently developing and submitting new studies, pilot tests and project proposals so that future work can move towards larger, stronger and more systematic experiments.
This page presents a small selection of that work: first, the study most directly shaping our research on prosocial bots, followed by selected research from members of the collective that informs our broader approach to prosocial media and technology.
Bots as Public-Interest Agents: A Framework for Promoting Peace Literacy on Social Media
This study develops a framework for testing transparent and prosocial social bots as potential public-interest agents, connecting digital violence, positive peace literacy, counterspeech and responsible automation.
150 real replies analysed — 50 direct replies from each account using the same coding procedure.
The three posts were published on the same day in April 2026 and addressed the same international news event. The pilot was used to calibrate the coding protocol, distinguish forms of digital violence and refine priorities for future interventions.
The pilot makes the framework empirically testable. It does not yet establish that prosocial bot interventions are effective.
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Interested in joining the BlueBots collective? Have an idea for an article, a small experiment or a research collaboration? Write to us and work with us.
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