Self-Representation on Social Media During Lockdowns in the First and Second COVID-19 Pandemic Waves
Self-Representation on Social Media During Lockdowns in the First and Second COVID-19 Pandemic Waves

Author(s): Alexandra Valéria Sándor
Subject(s): Media studies, Health and medicine and law
Published by: Scientia Moralitas Research Institute
Keywords: COVID-19; self-representation; social media
Summary/Abstract: Social media is a diverse and dynamically evolving online space that consists of multiple platforms. These social media platforms have become part of the daily lives of many and have grown into important venues of interaction. The ability to cross geographical and cultural borders and the interchangeable roles of sender and recipient (as opposed to conventional mass communications patterns) are two essential features of social media. This pilot study intends to provide an overview of changes that have occurred in self-representation on social media and their possible connection to mental health among Hungarian users using an online questionnaire conducted during two lockdowns in the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this two-step survey indicate that the use of social media and self-representation in social media posts increased during the lockdown periods, with selfies being the most popular type of content shared. In addition, signs of major depression were more prevalent among social media users who shared photos or videos of themselves or their close relations at least once a day on Messenger, the platform on which willingness to share this type of content increased the most during the lockdowns.

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