Social Media as an Emergency Response System: COVID-19 and Our Unprecedented Need for Information and Social Engagement

Research has shown that social media can be an optimal way for people to transfer advice, information and resources in response to stressful events. According to Mikal, online social engagement can provide an important sense of continuity when face-to-face routines and social networks are disrupted. "Features of online communication are really well-suited to healthy engagement that honors recommendations for social distancing. By helping individuals connect socially, social media has the potential to improve our mental health and can help to slow the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging health-promoting behaviors and compliance with health recommendations," said Mikal. Mikal will gather data through qualitative interviews, surveys and daily diaries to determine if social media: can be leveraged to share information on health information and government recommendations can provide valuable resources to individuals coping with increased family care obligation can be used to exchange emotional support to combat isolation will be associated with improved mental health outcomes, including: isolation, depression and anxiety will be associated with increased awareness of and compliance with CDC recommendations for social isolation