Open J Psychiatry Allied Sci. 2023 Jan 25. Epub ahead of print.

Planning of use of social and entertainment media and associated fear of addiction to it during initial phase of COVID-19 lockdown.

Ahmed M, Bhuyan D, Goswami S, Saikia H, Das S.

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has drastically affected millions of lives globally. Amidst the measures of lockdown imposed to curb its spread, an increasing use of various media and social media can be expected, that could lead to problematic pattern of use. Aim: We aim to study how people plan to use various media, activities during initial phase of lockdown, and their fear of excessive use of smartphone and other electronic media Methods: The sample was drawn from physicians, paramedics, and faculties of colleges, marketing professionals, and employees from judicial system and students of various streams in Assam. The subjects were emailed the questionnaires along with a consent form. Data were analysed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 and results were presented in terms of frequencies and percentages. Results: Use of social media was preferred by 76.1% of the respondents followed television (53.8%) and radio (21.1%). 8.5% and 6.1% respondents planned of using alcohol and tobacco respectively. 57.1% of the responses were ‘others’ group consisting of heterogeneous activities. 55.5% respondents expressed the fear of excessive use of smartphone or other electronic media during the lockdown period, which was higher among 20–29-year-olds, males, students, and medical professionals. Conclusion: Thus, social media was the most planned activity by people during initial phase of lockdown. Fear of excessive use smartphone or other electronic media was seen. Further studies in this regard could help to prevent occurrence of problematic pattern of smartphone or other electronic media use as a consequence of lockdown due to COVID 19 pandemic.

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