Effects of Social Media Use on Connectivity and Emotions During Pandemic-Induced School Closures: Qualitative Interview Study Among Adolescents

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity to examine social media and technology use during a time in which technology served as adolescents’ primary form of socialization. The literature is mixed regarding how increased screen time during this period affected adolescent mental health and well-being. The mechanisms by which screen time use affected adolescent psychosocial outcomes are also unknown. Objective We aimed to deepen our understanding of how social media and technology use, social connectivity, and emotional well-being intersected during pandemic-related school closures. Methods English-speaking adolescents aged 13 to 17 years were recruited on Instagram for a brief screening survey; 39 participants were purposefully selected to complete a semistructured interview regarding their social media and technology use during the pandemic. Interview summaries were abstracted from recordings, and deductive codes were created for the primary question stems. These codes were subsequently reviewed for the main themes. Results The main themes were as follows: adolescent social media and technology use during school closures usually allowed for more and easier social connectivity, but the amount and relative ease of connectivity differed according to purpose and type of use. Emotions, particularly those of stress and happiness, were connected to whether adolescents actively or passively engaged with social media and technology. Conclusions Our results suggest a nuanced relationship among social media and technology use, adolescent social support, and emotional well-being, including during the pandemic. Specifically, how adolescents use or engage with web-based platforms greatly influences their ability to connect with others and their feelings of stress and happiness. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and as technology in general remains at the core of the adolescent experience, future research should continue to examine how adolescents navigate and use web-based spaces in beneficial and harmful ways. This will inform education and interventions that foster healthy social media and technological habits.

Well-being approaches targeted to improve child and youth health post-COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review

“…The data also indicates the complexities of connectivity through social media and technology. Although social media provides a channel for connection and it was found to provide relief from pandemic-related stressors, it may have in turn added to stress surrounding current events and may have increased opportunities for cyber bullying as well as screen time [43,72]. Moving beyond COVID-19, parents and teachers are suggested to educate children and youth on digital health literacy and skills and to monitor screen time to ensure media is used as a tool and not a crutch [73].…”

Computer vision syndrome among students during remote learning periods: harnessing digital solutions for clear vision

“…Such factors can contribute to an increased reliance on digital devices, leading to elevated screen time. In fact, during the pandemic-induced school closures, social media and technology served as adolescents' primary form of socialization (17). But the way adolescents engaged with these platforms greatly influenced their emotional well-being, with active engagement often leading to feelings of happiness for some and stress for others (17).…”

“…In fact, during the pandemic-induced school closures, social media and technology served as adolescents' primary form of socialization (17). But the way adolescents engaged with these platforms greatly influenced their emotional well-being, with active engagement often leading to feelings of happiness for some and stress for others (17). Additionally, children's screen time activity was greatly influenced by the heightened parents stress levels during the pandemic that resulted in behavioral difficulties and increased digital device use (18).…”