key: cord-0948525-sdtvw9eq
authors: Rismanbaf, Ali
title: Social Media as a Double-Edged Sword: Lessons from COVID-19 Outbreak
date: 2021-07-09
journal: Int J Prev Med
DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_173_20
sha: 93102ef9a557e1dc1830a5fc1c1b6d3d6ef4e22a
doc_id: 948525
cord_uid: sdtvw9eq

nan

Despite these benefits, access to social media during the COVID-19 outbreak has had consequences. One of the most important reported is endangering mental health, especially increased depression and anxiety, following the spread of infodemic. [3] Also, the spread of rumors about the COVID-19 treatment can cause irreversible side effects, such as extensive methanol poisoning. [4] On the other hand, it seems that the state media is not as popular as social media to compete with social media in shaping public opinion, despite the benefit of experts. [5] As a result, it seems that by restricting public access to medical and drug information and monitoring published information on social media, a swift action to refute infodemic can be taken and the negative role of social media in endangering mental health can be controlled. By controlling the disadvantages, social media can be used as a quick way to inform about prevention and treatment, create awareness, shape perspectives, and reduce mental disorders.

Nil.

There are no conflicts of interest.

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