Digital Sociability: Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Young Adults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/Abstract
Intense social network use and its psychosocial consequences, especially among young adults, have been addressed by the literature. This study aimed to understand the digital sociability of young adults during the period of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a qualitative study involving 19 young adults ( M age = 21.2 years, 9 men, 10 women). Data collection consisted of socio-economic questionnaires and four audio-recorded sessions of collective remote interviews based on a semi-structured guide. The data were processed using IraMuTeQ program using the Descending Hierarchical Classification tool. Three main themes emerged from the analysis: the use of social media platforms during the pandemic, the dynamics of relationships via social media, and the experience of existing on social media. The results suggest that young people live ambiguously with the sense of security provided by social networks while feeling anxious about the judgment of others regarding their posts.
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