Media Literacy During the Coronavirus Pandemic: Microethnography on Mass Media–Related Anxiety in American College Students

• In Event: Media Literacy in a Time of Crisis

Abstract

This IRB-approved micro-ethnographic case study grounded in Vygotsky’s (1978; 1987) socio-cultural constructivism involved two college students in the northeastern U.S. The research question was, “May social media have negative effects on college students’ academic and social behaviors?” While observing activity in social media during the COVID-affected Spring and Summer 2020 semesters, we interviewed (Seidman, 2014) our subjects seeking their opinions on possible effects from the mass media on college students. We coded and analyzed the data according to Saldaña’s (2014) principles. This research found multiple negative effects from usage of mass media on the American youth. The significance of this study is that we offer college students several useful Media Literacy strategies, which may help them improve their academic achievement.

Authors

• Olga Gould, Eastern New Mexico University

• Malika Sultonova, State University of New York