When the coronavirus pandemic first began, people were forced to stay home to stay safe from the virus. This caused many people to turn to social media as a way to find new information, connect with others, and entertain themselves while at home.

In March 2020, the world was filled with confusion over COVID-19. With new information being released every day, more uncertainty over the virus was created. Many people did not know how the virus was spreading and how it was affecting their communities. To help clear up the uncertainty, many social media users started posting information concerning the virus. For example, some users posted information on how COVID-19 is spread so that people could understand what precautions to take to stay safe. These posts not only helped to raise awareness about the virus but also educated people around the world on what they could do to protect themselves and others. Even today many posts relating to COVID-19 are still being posted to give social media users the latest information about the virus.

At the start of the pandemic, there was also a sudden need for technology to communicate with others. Zoom became widely used for school, work, and other meetings. Additionally, many people used social media platforms to communicate with friends and family. Social media gave people a way to check up on how others were doing while staying socially distanced. The pandemic was and still is a stressful time for many people, and social media gave them a place to find comfort during their hardships. 

Unfortunately, many people have started to share pictures of large group gatherings on social media. Seeing photos of groups of 20 people without masks can be very frustrating to see, especially if you’ve been doing your best to stay safe from COVID-19. In fact, these posts can even encourage people who see them gather in large groups since a post about it makes it seem like it is ok. However, it is important to ignore these posts and keep social distancing to keep yourself safe. Instead of gathering in-person, have virtual meetings with friends. For example, Juliana Neehmeh (10) says that she and her friends “have Zoom meetings every so often to see how each of [them] is doing and just to stay connected.”

Social media has also provided entertainment throughout the pandemic. While everyone was stuck at home, people had to get creative to find something fun to do. Video-sharing platforms such as TikTok and YouTube were flooded with new users who were looking for an activity that would occupy their time. Additionally, many people scrolled endlessly through content on various platforms as a means of entertaining themselves because there were limited activities outside of their homes.

Social media is and will continue to be a major part of our lives. As the pandemic continues, it is crucial to keep recognizing the importance of adapting to the ever-changing information about COVID-19 with the help of social media.