Practice of Social Media During Covid-19 Pandemic. Has Really Social Media Literate Us?

Abstract

Introduction: With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, social media has rapidly become a crucial communication tool for information generation, dissemination, and consumption. In the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, while the entire healthcare sector is combating the pandemic on the frontline, it is imperative for the consumers to become social media literate in their management of social media contents and platforms and handle them wisely and prudently. This study aimed to analyze the current practice of Indian population in response to COVID-19 related information shared on social media during COVID-19 pandemic and analyze their perception on its impact in spreading awareness. Methodology: A cross sectional Web-based online survey consisting of 26 questions on attitude, practices and perception of the study participants on COVID-19 related messages shared on various social media platforms was conducted for a period of two months. The survey link was sent through email and various social networking channels to the study participants. Results: Social media had influenced 33.4% of the study participants positively, 41% both positively and negatively, and 18.4% negatively; and 57% have recommended that the sharing of COVID-19 related information on social media during the pandemic should be allowed, but with regulatory supervision of the government. Conclusion: There is a reasonable awareness and sense of responsibility among the study participants in their attitude and practices of handling COVID-19 related information on social media. However, there is still much scope for further improvement.