Usage of Social media in Pandemic: Seeking support and awareness about COVID-19 through Social Media Platforms (Preprint)

Abstract

The rise of social media in the global age has attracted the general public to learn medical information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. During these days, people forced to stay at home and the social media connected and supported for awareness and pandemic updates

The present study aimed to highlight the present situation of Indonesian society, where the outbreak position is quite high and the number of social media followers is increasing.

The study designed a survey questionnaire to collect data from social media aspirants and data gathered and started from the month of March and April, 2020. The total number of 348 responses was collected through random sampling techniques and the majority shows a positive attitude toward using social media and medical information instruments. The data was further categories in Microsoft Excel, SPSS and Jamovi to do analysis and preparation of results

The results presented in a frequency distribution, Likert scale, reliability analysis and correlation regression. The majority of the respondents are using social media accounts are most particularly, they are sharing and learning through WhatsApp’s. Social media as social support indicates that greater frequency of respondents is seeking social support from their online and offline friends, relatives and colleagues. The findings show that the usage of social media was strongly correlated with social support (r=.450***, p<.01) capacity building are (r=.488***, p<.01) and learning & knowledge (r=.512***, p<.01).

The study concluded the usage of social media platforms is easy and accessible to every individual for share, post and like the medical information regarding COVID-19. As people are working from home, and ensuring the social distance, thus the main majority of their regular time are spending on social media platforms for talking relatives, colleagues, and friends.