High infection and mortality rates of COVID-19 have led to governments around the world creating social distancing measures. Examples include reducing contact with individuals outside of the household, schools,  universities, and workplaces being closed or offering virtual options, many social gatherings including restaurants, theaters, sports games, etc. being closed, and traveling restrictions.

COVID-19 and Social Distancing

Interventions or measures intended to prevent the spread of diseases by creating physical distance between people and reducing the number of contact points

University of Delaware

Researchers believe that individuals were more likely to use social media during peak periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, different motivation for connecting with others on social media could explain different mental health outcomes. 

Social Media Use in COVID-19 Pandemic

Thygesen, H., Bonsaksen, T., Schoultz, M., Ruffolo, M., Leung, J., Price, D., &amp; Geirdal, A. Ø. (2022). Social media use and its associations with mental health 9 months after the COVID-19 outbreak: A cross-national study. Frontiers in Public Health, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.752004 

Social Media Use and Its Associations With Mental Health 9 Months After the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-National Study

Social Distancing

Those who used social media during the COVID-19 pandemic to decrease loneliness and for entertainment were more likely to have poorer mental health outcomes. Those who used social media for personal contact and maintaining relationships had associations with better mental health outcomes. 

Relationship Between Social Media Use Motivation and Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic

This results in higher PTSD and depression.  

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