Role of Social Media in Extending Social Support during the Pandemic

Mass Communication       

Explore –Journal of Research

                                    Peer Reviewed Journal

     ISSN 2278–0297 (Print)

                                                                                                ISSN 2278–6414 (Online)

© Patna Women’s College, Patna, India

                                                         https://patnawomenscollege.in/explore-journal-of-research/

Role of Social Media in Extending Social Support during the Pandemic

• Arya Rakshita • Saumya Singh Rajput • SimranVijay • Roma

Received                  : December 2021

Accepted                 : January 2022

Corresponding Author   : Roma

Abstract : This study focuses on the role and impact of social media in extending and seeking social support during the pandemic. Throughout the global Covid-19 outbreak when people were restricted to their homes and were bound to follow social distancing and precautions for physical interactions, social media helped people stay connected; created public awareness; provided entertainment, business opportunities, educational facilities, information updates and emerged as a multipurpose platform. The study incorporated qualitative methodology and used both, primary and secondary data sources for analysis. Primary data were collected with the help

of an online survey through a questionnaire and focus group discussions. In context of secondary sources, we referred to data from news articles from publications such as The Hindu and The Times of India, Government of India portals such as the CoWin portal and Aarogya Setu app. A total of 484 responses were collected through random sampling method and majority of people asserted to the use of social media for either extending or seeking some type of social support.

Keywords: Social Media, Social Media Consumption, Social Support, Pandemic, Covid-19 Pandemic, Information Sharing.

Arya Rakshita
BMC III year, Session: 2019-2022,
Patna Women’s College (Autonomous),
Patna University, Patna, Bihar, India

Saumya Singh Rajput
BMC III year, Session: 2019-2022,
Patna Women’s College (Autonomous),
Patna University, Patna, Bihar, India

SimranVijay
BMC III year, Session: 2019-2022,
Patna Women’s College (Autonomous),
Patna University, Patna, Bihar, India

Roma
Head, Department of Mass Communication
Patna Women’s College (Autonomous),
Bailey Road, Patna-800 001, Bihar, India
E-mail : roma.bmc@patnawomenscollege.in