Impacts of message sensation value and message appeal on viewer responses to YouTube anti-bullying videos

Abstract This study explored the impact of message sensation value (MSV) and message appeal on viewers’ responses to anti-bullying videos on YouTube from various sources. Through quantitative content analysis, 1431 videos were coded by trained coders based on predefined coding schemes. The results r...

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Main Authors: Wen-Chi Wu, Meng-Jung Lee, Hsi-Ping Nieh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92462-2
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author Wen-Chi Wu
Meng-Jung Lee
Hsi-Ping Nieh
author_facet Wen-Chi Wu
Meng-Jung Lee
Hsi-Ping Nieh
author_sort Wen-Chi Wu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study explored the impact of message sensation value (MSV) and message appeal on viewers’ responses to anti-bullying videos on YouTube from various sources. Through quantitative content analysis, 1431 videos were coded by trained coders based on predefined coding schemes. The results revealed that anti-bullying videos employed relatively low MSV levels (mean = 4.33, score range: 0–15). Most videos utilized positive emotional appeal (70.6%), about half employed rational appeal (54.9% self-efficacy appeal, 49.1% response efficacy appeal), and less than half incorporated negative emotional appeal (45.1%). Significant variations were observed in MSV and message appeal across different sources. Videos by YouTubers, amateurs, and recreational channels exhibited higher MSV levels than those by governments, non-profit organizations, and news channels. Videos uploaded by YouTubers received the highest number of views, likes, and comments, higher than those uploaded by governments and other sources. Videos employing higher levels of MSV received significantly more views, while message appeal had no significant effects after sources, languages, and numbers of subscribers were considered. The findings suggest that combining YouTubers’ broad reach with the credibility of government sources may offer an optimal strategy for effectively delivering accurate anti-bullying messages to a broader audience.
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spelling doaj-art-a38e1c469a6549b38cce3c40c82f751f2025-08-20T03:40:44ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-92462-2Impacts of message sensation value and message appeal on viewer responses to YouTube anti-bullying videosWen-Chi Wu0Meng-Jung Lee1Hsi-Ping Nieh2Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, National Taiwan Normal UniversityDepartment of Social Work, Soochow UniversityDepartment of Child and Family Science, National Taiwan Normal UniversityAbstract This study explored the impact of message sensation value (MSV) and message appeal on viewers’ responses to anti-bullying videos on YouTube from various sources. Through quantitative content analysis, 1431 videos were coded by trained coders based on predefined coding schemes. The results revealed that anti-bullying videos employed relatively low MSV levels (mean = 4.33, score range: 0–15). Most videos utilized positive emotional appeal (70.6%), about half employed rational appeal (54.9% self-efficacy appeal, 49.1% response efficacy appeal), and less than half incorporated negative emotional appeal (45.1%). Significant variations were observed in MSV and message appeal across different sources. Videos by YouTubers, amateurs, and recreational channels exhibited higher MSV levels than those by governments, non-profit organizations, and news channels. Videos uploaded by YouTubers received the highest number of views, likes, and comments, higher than those uploaded by governments and other sources. Videos employing higher levels of MSV received significantly more views, while message appeal had no significant effects after sources, languages, and numbers of subscribers were considered. The findings suggest that combining YouTubers’ broad reach with the credibility of government sources may offer an optimal strategy for effectively delivering accurate anti-bullying messages to a broader audience.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92462-2Bullying preventionYouTubeMessage sensation valueRational appealsEmotional appeals
spellingShingle Wen-Chi Wu
Meng-Jung Lee
Hsi-Ping Nieh
Impacts of message sensation value and message appeal on viewer responses to YouTube anti-bullying videos
Scientific Reports
Bullying prevention
YouTube
Message sensation value
Rational appeals
Emotional appeals
title Impacts of message sensation value and message appeal on viewer responses to YouTube anti-bullying videos
title_full Impacts of message sensation value and message appeal on viewer responses to YouTube anti-bullying videos
title_fullStr Impacts of message sensation value and message appeal on viewer responses to YouTube anti-bullying videos
title_full_unstemmed Impacts of message sensation value and message appeal on viewer responses to YouTube anti-bullying videos
title_short Impacts of message sensation value and message appeal on viewer responses to YouTube anti-bullying videos
title_sort impacts of message sensation value and message appeal on viewer responses to youtube anti bullying videos
topic Bullying prevention
YouTube
Message sensation value
Rational appeals
Emotional appeals
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92462-2
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