A photovoice study on youth’s experience of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Objectives The coronavirus disease pandemic and social distancing measures have threatened young people living in an underdeveloped region of Indonesia. Very little is currently known about how youth experience social distancing during the pandemic. This study aimed to explore the lived experience of this group within a large-scale social distancing context. Design Data were collected using a photovoice and participatory video approach with 15 young people in West Timor, Indonesia. Results The results of the study explain motives for maintaining social distancing protocol, self-improvement activities during the quarantine, and changes that occurred in social dynamics. Conclusion Implications of the results are discussed with consideration of risk factors hindering the youth’s well-being. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: (1) Unemployment threatens young people during the pandemic. (2) Young people experience poor mental health due to social isolation. (3) Distance learning execution is not adequate for youth in developing areas. What this topic adds: (1) Photovoice helps young people’s voices in developing areas to be heard. (2) Policymakers in under-developed areas need to facilitate youth with various online skill-improving activities that are accessible, since not every youth has access to good internet reception. (3) Providing family-based intervention to social distancing issues faced by youth in developing areas might provide better results.