COVID-19 and the ensuing stay-at-home orders have altered nearly every
aspect of our lives, including our connection with the internet, as well
as how and when we use it.
We’re online more than ever before, working from home, going to school
from home, and video chatting with pals. As retailers and restaurants
throughout the world closed their doors for months at a time, we all
turned to the internet to obtain necessities.
The world learned that social media can help individuals and groups stay
connected even when they are physically apart.
Not only are we learning the newest news updates thanks to the
development of social media in the twenty-first century, but we’re also
using platforms like Facebook and Twitter to deliver personal and
business updates. For businesses, this means using social media to
provide unprecedented assistance to staff and consumers. For the
government, this means doing everything possible to disseminate accurate
and up-to-date information as quickly as possible.
Here are four key functions of social media during a pandemic, based on
how it was utilised to exchange information and connect with others
during the COVID-19 epidemic:
1. An information and misinformation source
COVID-19 was the world’s first global pandemic in the digital era.
Governments and corporations utilised social media to help people
understand what was going on and how it affected them. Unfortunately,
some people exploited social media to disseminate lies about miracle
cures, fraudulent claims, conspiracy theories, and other topics.
It was difficult to find reliable sources of information on COVID-19.
People were scrambling for information at the start of the COVID-19
epidemic, and the public became more vulnerable to false and dangerous
Whatsapp remedies, which were then passed on to others.
2. An impact on the public’s reaction to the outbreak
Through different social media channels, billions of individuals are
allowed to openly voice their views about a pandemic. Individuals,
groups, and companies used social media during the COVID-19 epidemic to
raise awareness about the virus and the public measures that may be
performed.
Here are a few examples of how social media affected public opinion
during the COVID-19 pandemic:
Social distancing and quarantining at home became a trend
“Social distancing” was a new term introduced to us along with the
pandemic. Soon after the globe was placed on lockdown, social media
users ranging from friends and relatives to celebrities and governments
called for social separation and urged individuals to be strong
throughout their house quarantines. One of the advantages of social
media during a pandemic is that it allows for the easy dissemination of
such useful and supportive information to a large audience.
As society moved from dealing with the lockdown to enjoying it,
quarantine culture became trendy. The cultural effect of social media
has never been greater than during the COVID-19 epidemic. It made it
easier for people to keep in touch and altered the way brands
communicate with their customers.
3. A platform for marketing
Brands emphasised socially responsible product promotion. Stores and
restaurants began takeaway and delivery services, food delivery services
like Swiggy and Zomato giving discounts and offers on their platforms,
streaming services giving extended trials for individuals who need
entertainment, and the endless “video-conference” advertising that was
relevant for individuals working at home are all instances of
pandemic-related marketing.
Many of the social media tendencies we witnessed during the pandemic
aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Many of the ways brands will
communicate with customers in the future have been irreversibly
transformed as a result of the pandemic’s effect.
4. Bringing positivity to our situation
While there was a lot of disinformation and terror on social media,
there was also a lot of vital knowledge, connections, and worldwide
togetherness. We were able to share our experiences with family and
friends on social media, which helped us overcome both physical and
mental isolation while also reminding us that we’re all in this
together.
Here are a few examples of how social media aided in the fight against
the COVID-19 pandemic:
Fundraisers were established and publicised on social media to assist in
raising funds for individuals in need. Celebrities and social media
influencers used their platforms to share information for Covid-19
patients. People also used social media to assist in whatever manner
they could, such as picking up groceries for people who couldn’t leave
their homes or posting information on how to help struggling local
businesses.
In conclusion, the attention on Covid-19 and its rapid dissemination of
information around the world has taught and made individuals aware of
the significance of accessing and be updated, as well as adhering to
Covid-19 guidelines.
Social media platforms are seen as beneficial for sharing knowledge,
learning, increasing awareness, and staying connected to the rest of the
world.
