Impacts of a Public Health Crisis on Health-Centered Online Social Networks (Preprint)

Abstract

The study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the usage patterns of Online Social Networks (OSNs), with a specific focus on providing insights to enhance future access to quality information. Health-centered OSNs play a crucial role in disseminating medical information, and understanding the shifts in user behavior during the pandemic and is essential for improving the provision of healthcare-related content.

The primary objective of this research is to examine the changes in user engagement on the Camoni website, the largest health-centered OSN in Israel, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. By conducting a comprehensive case study spanning 12 years, our goal is to identify significant trends and insights that can contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how health-related OSNs are utilized during global health crises.

To achieve our objective, we conducted a case study focused on the Camoni website. We compiled a comprehensive database spanning the site's activity. Subsequently, we performed a large-scale analysis to assess the impact of the pandemic on user activity. Our analysis aimed to discern notable trends in participation, enrollment, and community engagement on the platform.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Camoni website exhibited a higher level of activity among women and individuals aged 40 and above. However, post-pandemic, there was a noteworthy surge in participation and enrollment, particularly among men and individuals aged between 20 and 40. Furthermore, specific communities on the site, particularly those focused on mental support, experienced a substantial increase in usage. This shift suggests that the pandemic accelerated the prominence of health-centered OSNs, indicative of the public's increased responsibility for their medical needs.

Our study concludes that the COVID-19 pandemic played a pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of health-centered OSNs. The observed changes in user demographics and community engagement highlight the evolving role of online platforms in healthcare. The increased participation of diverse demographic groups indicates a broader societal acceptance and reliance on OSNs for health-related information. This insight is vital for adapting and optimizing health communication strategies during and beyond global health crises.