IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH OF EBONYI STATE UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Maduka Nwambam, Johnson Chinasa Alegu, Babatunde Stephen Maku

Abstract


In recent times, some remarkable changes have been observed across the globe regarding the qualitative and quantitative expansion of internet and social media, with a large number of people addicted to social media especially during COVID-19 pandemic. This paper ascertained the impact of extensive social media usage on mental health among Ebonyi State University undergraduates during COVID-19 period. This study was anchored on Health Belief Model and adopted survey design using questionnaire for data collection. Sample size of 385 was drawn purposively. It was found that the undergraduates overstayed on social media during the pandemic. It was also found that the undergraduates stayed on social media during COVID-19 for business transactions, romance/relationships, games/betting and sports activities among other things. It was further found that excessive stay on social media caused the undergraduates depression, anxiety, headache and insomnia during the period. Among the recommendations is that parents should not allow their children to use the social media when they are not mature enough to avoid their being distracted by the glamour and fantasies of the social media.

           

 


Keywords


Social Media; Mental Health; Students; Covid-19 Pandemic;

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.47851/naujocommed.v2i2.129

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