Story Provided by the University of South Florida
Social Media
Collectivist cultures flourish from community relationships. Such cultures, as seen in countries like India and Taiwan, place importance on communal goals and the wellbeing of the whole group over individual pursuits, wants and desires. Overall, these cultures emphasize community interactions due to its crucial role in developing one’s perception of self-worth and wellbeing. The prioritization of communal unity and group dependence ultimately reveals the 18 | FALL 2021
devastating effects that the global pandemic and its long-term periods of self-isolation brought upon the individuals of these collectivist cultures. Despite the difficulties that collectivist cultures endured amidst the global pandemic, it seemed as though social media and its 21st-century role in the world played a significant role in uniting the Asian Indian community during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Indian community ultimately found social media as a means to continue relationships virtually. Facebook pages shared information about available hospital beds while Instagram pages spread the
designed by Prakash Vasanthakumar
In a world filled with constant uncertainty and unpredictability concerning the global outbreak of COVID-19, there is one aspect of our lives we can all agree on. Following the international spread of the virus, our social relationships were completely transformed into an era of digital communication and virtual connections. We, as a society, shifted from face-to-face interactions to a digital means of connection in a matter of mere days. Despite the swift transition from in-person encounters to virtual interactions, countries all around the world dealt with the emotional and psychological turmoil that followed the significant and drastic loss of human connection. Recent studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate the rise in mental health crises and suicide rates following the financial, physical, and emotional burdens of COVID-19. In particular, collectivist cultures that thrive off of inter-communal relationships tremendously suffered following the isolation mandates, communal gathering shutdowns and the overall deprivation of human interaction. However, an unexpected hero emerged amidst these global isolation periods. An unexpected hero that would ultimately serve as a key catalyst in maintaining and creating social relationships at a time where heart-to-heart connections were most needed. The unexpected and silent hero…social media.
written by Sayona Jose
A Silent Hero Amidst the COVID-19 Global Pandemic
