Shelter in the online world? Benefits and risks associated with social media use for college students’ mental health in the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic.

Social media have come to play an important role during public health crises, especially for younger generations, who use social media as a tool to respond to and cope with the stressful circumstances. This study, grounded in the multiactivity framework of social media use, investigated risks and benefits associated with different types of social media use for college students’ mental health in the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey completed by 849 U.S. college students in Spring 2020 provided the data for analysis. Structural equation modeling shows that while social media consumption of COVID-19 information was linked to increased levels of depression and anxiety via channels of information overload, uncertainty, and worry, engaging in direct private communication demonstrated a protective effect, reducing depression and anxiety through enhanced emotional support and companionship. The research further revealed that neither broadcasting COVID-related content nor participating in non-COVID-related activities significantly affected mental health indicators. Gender differences were also examined. Female students reported higher levels of depression and anxiety than male students; gender did not moderate the relationship between social media use and mental well-being. These insights shed light on the intricate dynamics of social media use during a crisis. They underscore the importance of discerning between various forms of social media engagement and suggest that accurate information dissemination and the promotion of direct, supportive communication could be instrumental to alleviating mental health burdens among college students in times of widespread uncertainty. What is the significance of this article for the general public?—This study reveals how different types of social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic distinctly relates to mental health among college students. It finds that passive browsing of pandemic-related information was correlated with increased stress and anxiety, whereas direct personal interactions via social media may help mitigate these effects by providing essential social support. These findings are crucial for informing targeted social media strategies during crises, highlighting the need for promoting interactive and supportive social media practices to enhance psychological well-being while also managing risks such as excessive screen time and misinformation.