Media use and avoidance experiences during social distancing.

Abstract

Media use significantly increased in many countries as shelter-in-place and social distancing measures were enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, little is known about what specific media were used; the emotional experiences users associated with media during the pandemic; or how media use may have varied as social distancing protocols changed over time. A mixed-methods study analyzed media use reports from students at two U.S. universities, gathered at the immediate onset of social distancing and again 7 months later. We quantitatively coded and analyzed the media channels and content types users reported seeking out and avoiding at each time point, and thematically analyzed the motives and affective experiences reported. Generally, users increased television viewing and computer-mediated interpersonal communication early in the pandemic, and overwhelmingly avoided the news at the onset of social distancing. In terms of affective responses, participants reported mixed experiences with social media, with some platforms associated with positive affect (TikTok, YouTube) while others were generally a source of stress (Facebook, Twitter, news content). Overall, results suggest unique platforms and content types may fulfill different functions based on the emotional needs of users during times of societal stress.

Using browser data to understand desires to spend time online.

“…There is growing recognition that many people feel the need to modulate their use of the internet and other digital technologies in support of their well-being (Grady et al, 2022;Hardey & Atkinson, 2018;Kuntsman & Miyake, 2019;Lomborg & Ytre-Arne, 2021;Natale & Treré, 2020;Nguyen, 2021;Parry et al, 2020). In this preregistered study, we aimed to advance our understanding of digital well-being in general and, in particular, to study whether browser usage metrics collected by industry partners are associated with desires to regulate time spent online.…”

“…Recent qualitative research has drawn attention to individuals who have expressed desires to regulate their digital technology use (Grady et al, 2022;Marder et al, 2016;Orhan et al, 2021;Reinecke et al, 2022) and, for some, disconnect from modern digital technologies like the internet or social media (Chib et al, 2021;Jorge, 2019;Nguyen, 2021;Portwood-Stacer, 2013). Considering this, a growing body of research now focuses on the practices, motivations for, and effects of deliberate reduced or nonuse of digital technologies (Hardey & Atkinson, 2018;Kuntsman & Miyake, 2019;Lomborg & Ytre-Arne, 2021;Natale & Treré, 2020).…”

Media as A Source of Coping and Social, Psychological and Hedonic Well-being: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In this context, research has shown that the media enabled coping: media were used to adapt to the aversive situation and increase overall well-being, known as media-based coping. Thus, people implement media-based coping strategies (MBCS) (Eden et al, 2020;Grady et al, 2022;Nabi et al, 2022).…”

Memes as culture repositories - social emotions during “Stay at home” phase in Poland from public health perspective

“…Results of the Grady study show that generally, users increased television viewing and computer-mediated interpersonal communication early in the pandemic, and overwhelmingly avoided the news at the onset of social distancing. In terms of affective responses, participants reported mixed experiences with social media, with some platforms associated with positive affect (TikTok, YouTube) while others were generally a source of stress (Facebook, Twitter, news content) (Grady, 2022). According to Myric (2021) Covid-19 meme viewing (vs. nonmeme content) was related to deeper information processing and lower levels of COVID-19related stress and indirectly associated with increased stronger COVID-19 coping efficacy.…”