Exposure to misinformation and increased stress with facing too much information are two

disadvantages of social media use while it is an advantage that allows people to keep socializing
during the Covid-19 pandemic. First of all, Ali and Kurasawa (2020) state that in today's world where
we can access a lot of information at any moment, unfortunately, we are exposed to a lot of
unfounded information. Misinformation appears in all large-scale epidemics as well as in the Covid-
19 pandemic and continues to grow like an avalanche. These unrealistic, exaggerated information
and deceptions cause results such as racism, cyberchondria, authoritarian insecurity, xenophobia and
infodemia. For instance, some unproven natural and traditional methods have been offered to social
media users as a remedy for the coronavirus. In a piece of information spread in Iran, it was claimed
that mint, turmeric and saffron could cure the infection, which was completely unfounded
information. Secondly, O’Brien et al. (2020) state that although it is important to get information
about the course of the pandemic in the world agenda, being constantly exposed to too much
information affects people negatively. It contradicts the typical use of social media where the news
feed changes every moment, but it is recommended that you read news about covid-19 updates at
most 2 times a day because more than this number can increase people's stress, anxiety and worry.
Thus, the stress in people pushed them to search for help that they did not need. For example, in the
early days of the epidemic, it created a misleading feeling among people on social media that toilet
paper and hand sanitizers were about to run out. This has caused people to panic to stockpile these
products and create a true scarcity situation.

However, social media became a way out for people in this bad period when people worry
about their health and the health of their loved ones. The danger of socializing by going out pushes
people more into social media conversations. People can share their emotions and common
concerns with people they know and do not know. People who want to minimize the mental
depressions that being alone can bring have fun with other people thanks to social media and it is a
consolation for people to see that everyone are is in the same situation. For example, online
education has many challenges for students. It is difficult to be away from friends and to live this
stress at home indoors. Thanks to social media, students can talk to other students about this
situation and they can laugh at and make fun of this situation. To sum up, exposure to
misinformation and increased stress with facing too much information are disadvantages and to
allow people to keep socializing is an advantage of social media use during the Covid-19 pandemic.