The Impact of COVID-19 on the Relation Between Social Media Use and Social Competence

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media suddenly replaced face-to-face communication with peers. This might have affected student’s social competence. Social competence affects the ability to learn through social learning, and is a determining factor for academic advancement. This study investigates the relation between the intensity of social media use and change in perceived social competence during COVID-19. Also, the moderating roles of media motivation and socioeconomic status and mediating role of self-esteem are investigated. Hereto, a longitudinal design was executed, using data from the Digital Family project. A questionnaire, measuring Intensity of Social Media Use, Perceived Social Competence, Media Motivation and Self-esteem was filled in by 206 adolescents. Their parents provided data about the Socioeconomic Status of the family. The analyses found no significant relationship between the intensity of social media use and social competence change. Additionally, the moderation and mediation analyses provided no significant results. This study provided insight into significant relationships that can be used to help media literacy initiatives identify factors that contribute to the susceptibility of individuals to media effects. It is recommended that future research aims to distinguish passive and active media use when investigating media effects.