The Impact of Social Networking Site on Social Well-Being During the Pandemic

Abstract

This research examines the impact of social distancing on social well being and academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic and how social networking sites (SNS) may moderate this relationship. Social distancing has been implemented globally to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, leading to temporary closures of educational institutions and social networks, causing negative psychological effects such as distress, tediousness, and loneliness. This study hypothesizes that social distancing negatively affects social well-being, and social well-being positively affects academic performance. Furthermore, we suggest that SNS use may moderate the relationship between social distancing and social well-being, weakening the negative effect; to do so, the current study develops a research model with three hypotheses, emphasizing the impact of social distancing and SNS use on social well-being and academic performance during the pandemic. To test our research model, 103 college students were surveyed. Partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling was employed to analyze our data, and these analyses provided empirical support for the proposed hypotheses. We believe our model extends our knowledge of (1) the traditional theories related to SNS use and social well-being, (2) the impact of SNS use on academic performance, and (3) moderator and mediator in the relationships between SNS use, social well-being, and academic performance.