Social media gives people the power to instantaneously share and spread information across the globe. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the rise of political unrest and economic tumult, people have increasingly turned to the internet as their main source of news.
Increased reliance on websites like Instagram and Twitter may have given these sites the power to sway users’ opinions on topical events, including COVID-19.
Although acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine is growing worldwide, this is not the case in the US, and the influence of spread misinformation on social media may be playing a role.