There have been many downsides lately to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, including barren grocery stores, increased social isolation, declining mental health, and economic downturns. To cope with these negatives, especially the distancing from others, people have turned toward social media and using technology to remain connected. As a frequent user of Instagram and Snapchat, I have noticed many people posting challenges for one another to complete, talking to one another in group chat settings, and coming together to discuss current issues, among other things. In a time of technological advancements and the mass spread of information, negativity can be spread as easily as positivity. People constantly become fearful due to what they read online or what new rumors are shared by the online communities they are a part of. I have been happy lately with the amount of positive information, encouragement, and motivation that has been spreading on social media lately, when everyone has reasons to feel distressed and down. While all social media has been benefiting lately due to the necessity for people to communicate through their phones and computers, WhatsApp has seen possibly the greatest increase in usage, a whopping 40%. Since WhatsApp is free to use and allows people to communicate across national borders, it is a great platform during this national emergency for families and friends to remain connected and in constant communication with one another. I think it is important for all of us to consider how great it is that we have the ability to continue talking to one another, seeing each other’s faces, and keeping motivation through social media and technology during these times when things feel uncertain and may be difficult.
If you would like to read more about the increase in social media usage due to COVID-19, please see the article below:
Report: WhatsApp has seen a 40% increase in usage due to COVID-19 pandemic
I believe that, although the sudden increase of social media has been able to connect hundreds of thousands of strangers together to fight for a common goal, social media could also be detrimental to the health of all of those who have introverted lifestyles in the first place. Especially with them having to be stuck in their house due to COVID-19 anyways. As someone in a relationship with another who lives in another state, social media and texting is the only way to communicate to a loved one or significant other and it can be beneficial. In fact some researchers from bigthink.com state that “long-distance relationships used social networking sites as a way to keep tabs on each other, gauging involvement and commitment in the relationship” (Shoemaker). However, sometimes the distance gets to people and it reminds the other that they are 2500 miles away and can’t be there next to you and it makes them upset. Thus resorting to social media for validity, only to be hurt again by seeing couples in quarantine post videos of them together, making those who don’t have that even more hurt than before. I believe as a society, social media has been a huge part of our lives positively but I also do believe that it could be used to hurt many people purposefully and accidentally.
Shoemaker, N. (2019, January 30). Social Media Plays a Big Role in Long-Distance Relationships. Retrieved March 29, 2020, from https://bigthink.com/ideafeed/social-media-plays-a-big-role-in-long-distance-relationships
I agree that there has bee a large increase in the use of social media throughout the past few weeks. Since everyone has been stuck inside their homes, people and families have been getting creative with things to do to help them stay busy. There have been new challenges such as push-ups or sending funny videos that all have been helping everyone see the good during this scary time. Apps such as Snapchat and Instagram have seen a massive increase in these challenges and stories but one app that blew up recently and is a leader right now is TikTok. TikTok has seen a massive increase in users and I believe it has produced positive content for people to see. Overall, social media has been a large help during this time and hopefully, it will continue to do so as long as this virus lasts.
source: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/coronavirus-covid-19-03-18