Time Utilization on Social Media before and during COVID-19

Description

Page: 204-207

Preeti Rani and Jatesh Kathpalia (Department of Sociology, CCSHAU, Hisar, Haryana)

During the COVID-19 lockdown, students found themselves with ample time on their hands, and social media became a primary avenue for passing the time and staying connected. The lockdown conditions accentuated the importance of social media platforms, offering students diverse channels to continue their education and engage with peers. However, the ease and accessibility of social media also led to a significant increase in the time spent on these platforms. To delve into this phenomenon, the present study was conducted among 300 students from schools and colleges, comparing their social media usage before and during the lockdown. The data analysis, employing z-tests, revealed striking differences in the time spent on various platforms. The results indicated a notable increase in social media usage during the lockdown period. For instance, the z-values for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and Twitter ranged from 2.64 to 4.09. These values signify a substantial rise in the amount of time spent on these platforms during the COVID-19 lockdown compared to the period before the pandemic. In essence, the findings underscored the significant impact of the lockdown on students’ social media habits, highlighting a marked increase in usage across various platforms.