(WBNG) -- By analyzing millions of tweets on the popular social media platform, Twitter, researchers have been able to see what Americans are talking about during quarantine.
"It gives us an idea of how America is feeling," said Binghamton University Computer Science Assistant Professor Anand Seetharam.
Seetharam and his colleague, Arti Ramesh, have spent the past few weeks analyzing millions of tweets. They both say America has had a lot to talk about.
"Looking out for workers, supporting them, and then showing frustration, hope, positivity, things like that. The emotion behind all these tweets is coming out, and that is something we saw up close," said Ramesh.
By looking at hashtags, researchers were able to pick out a few popular topics. From discussing lock downs, to unemployment, to even the nationwide toilet paper shortage, researchers saw a wide range of emotions through it all.
"This is representative of what people are going through," said Ramesh.
Using the hindsight of America's conversations, researchers hope social media can be a tool to prepare physically and mentally for future crisis situations.
"How people use words, how people convey emotions, why and when, and what leads people to say certain things, and what can be some solutions," said Ramesh.
Ramesh and Seetharam say they plan on using social media as a tool for learning about emotions and language in future studies.
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