Impact of Social Media in Combating the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons and Prospects

Abstract:

The COVID19 pandemic has caused negative impacts in both the economy of nations and in the wellbeing of people. As deaths and incidences from the pandemic continue to rise, we note the important role that social media can play in helping to disseminate vital information needed by global citizens to help curb the erratic pandemic. However, there are still grappling challenges in getting absolute compliance from individuals with respect to COVID19 health information and safety instructions from relevant authorities. Using a descriptive survey, we investigate the perception of individuals in adhering to local news media directives on COVID19 control. Our sample consist of 198 foreign nationals who had been working in China around the time that the pandemic started. Results show that participants agree that news from their local media has been authentic and has significantly helped to reduce the impact of the pandemic in their various current places of residence. We recommend that local media agencies should be encouraged to consistently update the masses in their various countries on updates about health guidelines and instructions in controlling the pandemic. Also, authentic sources should be consistently referenced as a doubt about the authenticity of news can greatly cause panic and doubt among people with consequent devastating effects if people believe that such news are no longer authentic.