Opportunities and challenges of social media in outbreaks: A concern for COVID-19.

Nowadays, dissemination of information is much faster than previous decades with development of Internet and different social media platforms. This development may have several advantages and disadvantages for prevention and control of contagious diseases, such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and avian influenza A (H7N9). Typically, outbreak of contagious disease has a huge impact on the social behaviors of populations in different communities, and consequently, this behavior alteration can either improve or interrupt the procedures of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these diseases [1]. According to a recent systematic review, the most popular social media platforms for circulation of information about the emerging infectious diseases (EID) were Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube [2]. Analysis of social media during the outbreaks of MERS-CoV and the H7N9 influenza in China have shown the usefulness of these platforms for measurement of the level of public awareness [3]. Another research regarding the Zika virus outbreak has demonstrated that social media can be used as a complementary way for forecasting the disease incidence and assessment of the dynamics of the outbreak [4]. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently reported 12 myths about the COVID-19 pandemic [5] that swiftly disseminated in the websites and social media platforms. Hence, the Internet and social media platforms can be used as a helpful tool for dissemination of information during outbreaks by health authorities [1], [6].

Besides the mentioned advantages, it seems that gossip and rumors are more contagious than contagious diseases in outbreaks. For instance, two speculative treatment methods of Ebola, including ingestion of Nano Silver and bathing in or drinking saltwater was spread during the Ebola outbreak in Twitter and Weibo (a Chines social media application) [7]. Misinformation also dissemination in the Internet and social media platforms regarding the COVID-19 pandemic [1], [6]. For instance, consumption of garlic, onion, and ginger as well as smoking frankincense and harmala (Peganum harmala) have been suggested for prevention of the COVID-19 in websites and social media platforms. An online survey among Chinese populations (4872 participants from 31 provinces of China) during the COVID-19 outbreak has shown that 22.6%, 48.3%, and 19.4% of the participants reported to experienced anxiety, depression and a combination of them, respectively [8]. As such, more than 80% of participants have been used social media. Social media exposure (SME) was positively associated with high rate of anxiety (OR = 1.72) and combination of anxiety and depression (OR = 1.91) compared with less SME exposure [8]. Another survey among the Chinese populations regarding the social media use and mental health status during the COVID-19 outbreak have shown that about one-fifth of the respondents had anxiety and depression. Moreover, the anxiety and depression were associated with spending ≥ 2 hours daily on COVID-19 news via social media [9]. Also, studies about the association of social media use and mental health status revealed that the depressive symptoms were higher in young girls than boys [10]. Increasing pandemic fears due to fake news and misinformation is another challenge of the social media platforms that should be managed by health authorities or governments.

Taken together, the pros and cons of the Internet and social media should be more considered by the health authorities or governments for the management and control of outbreaks.

Funding

None.

Disclosure of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.