Social Media and COVID-19: A Mixed-Methods Analysis to Document Canadian Adults’ Perceptions of the Positive and Negative Sides of Their Social Media Use

Abstract

Using a mixed-methods approach, the purpose of this study was to document some Canadian adults' social media experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand potential changes in motives and attitudes related to social media. Participants (n = 68; 17 -66 years old) completed an online survey with open-ended and Likert-scale questions between April 25 and June 12, 2020. Qualitative responses were coded and analyzed for themes related to the positive and negative aspects of social media use and changes in attitudes. Descriptive statistics, ANOVAs, and t-tests were run to assess perceived changes in frequency and motivations driving social media use, in addition to the perceived utility of social media. Participants perceived increases in their social media use, particularly to meet socialization and entertainment needs. During the pandemic, participants valued social media for its opportunity to maintain connections, but also expressed concerns about how much they were using it and their exposure to negative information. The results suggest that maximizing the potential of social media to maintain or increase connections may be beneficial for the well-being of some Canadians in early and middle adulthood during unprecedented times of physical distancing.