Support from social media during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

Abstract

The social distancing measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have transformed people from social to isolated individuals. During that time, social media became a useful tool for satisfying people’s need for social interaction. Previous systematic reviews, however, have focused largely on the negative impact of social media use and ignored the positive side. Hence, this systematic review examined the role of social media use in providing support—be it social, emotional or informational—during the pandemic. Four databases were systematically searched, and the selection procedure followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Protocol registration: PROSPERO (CRD42022367903). A total of 20 papers were deemed eligible for data extraction. The findings showed that active engagement on social media contributed significantly to maintaining social capital and collective resilience amidst social restrictions. The emotional support obtained from social media was proven effective in alleviating feelings of loneliness and isolation. Also, social media facilitated the rapid dissemination of information and the grassroots mobilization of support by overcoming bureaucratic hurdles and addressing urgent community needs. This review concluded by highlighting the transformative potential of social media in crisis contexts and suggesting implications for mental health interventions and community resilience strategies.