The use of online social network sites during the COVID-19 pandemic as a protective or risk factor for well-being of university students

Abstract

During the COVID-19 period, the use of social network sites (SNSs) has been reported to increase. The present study aimed to explore whether, on balance, their use serves the well-being of university students positively as a source of social capital and entertainment, or negatively as a source of information about the COVID-19 pandemic. It focused on a sample of 339 university students, a group which is known to have a high risk of well-being problems. Students completed the demographic information form, the use of SNSs form, and the World Health Organization Well-Being Index. The use of SNSs form included items on SNS use in terms of daily duration, usage patterns (active and passive use) and reasons with regard to social capital (bridging and bonding social capital) and entertainment, and the perceived change in these quantitative and qualitative aspects of SNS use compared to the pre-COVID period. It also measured the level of exposure to COVID-19 related information on SNSs. It was found that the increase in the duration of SNS use predicted the well-being score negatively whereas the increase in active use and use for bonding social capital related reasons predicted it positively. These findings suggest that the quantity and the quality of SNS use are differently related to the well-being of university students. The active use of SNSs, particularly for the purpose of connecting with the close networks might constitute protective factors for student well-being in the case of health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.