Every day, we’re surrounded by news stories about the
spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). As a result, more and more people are
turning to their phones to seek comfort. Unfortunately, in their efforts to keep
others safe, the governments have also put limitations on how we can use our
phones. To ensure people practise social distancing, the UK government has asked
app developers to disable in-app purchases and limit screen time so that users
only interact with the app through social media channels.
The Psychology Of Social Media
If you’re reading this, I assume that you’re already aware of the
psychology behind social media and the effect it can have on our lives. If you
aren’t, then here’s a quick summary.
Social media is incredibly beneficial. It gives us the opportunity to connect
with people from all over the world. It also allows us to follow the actions of
politicians, celebrities, and other important figures in society. Most of us look
to social media for information, particularly during times of crisis. So it’s not
surprising that during the lockdown, the number of people using TikTok, Instagram,
and Facebook increases.
When we use social media, we’re not just using the platforms themselves. We’re
interacting with people. The human interaction, particularly when it’s
positive, makes a world of difference.
Because of the uncertainty around the Coronavirus and other global pandemics,
we’ve seen a lot more people turning to their phones to seek comfort. This has
led to more new accounts being created on social media. Studies have also shown
that using social media during times of uncertainty encourages healthy social
behaviour.
The Digital Divide: How Social Media Is Redefining Inequality
The use of social media is not limited to the coronavirus pandemic. It’s one of
the main ways in which people are interacting now, and it’s changed the game
for everyone, regardless of their economic standing. In a time when traditional
ways of getting information are being shut down, people are relying more and
more on their phone for news and updates. As a result, the digital divide is
affecting society in a huge way.
Those without access to the internet or smart phones are finding it harder
to stay informed about developments, let alone keep up with the mainstream. The
pandemic has exacerbated this divide. The developed world, where most people have
access to smart phones and the internet, has easily adopted online trading, news
gathering, and more. While societies like China, where access to the internet and
smart phones is more limited, have experienced restrictions on all aspects of
life. This has had a significant impact on their lives. It’s not just about
money. The effect of the pandemic is being felt much more deeply.
Why Do Betting Apps Ask For Social Media?
To put it simply, because governments and public health organisations want to
minimise the spread of the virus. They don’t want us to meet in person as much
as possible, which is why they’ve restricted how we can use our phones.
These organisations don’t want us to continue to hoard information. They want
us to be as open about the pandemic as possible, which is why they’ve
encouraged us to use social media channels.
This is why betting apps that support in-person bets have been hit hard by the
government. They want to reduce the spread of the virus, so they’ve restricted
gambling activity. However, thanks to the security and privacy concerns
surrounding the pandemic, it’s harder for betting apps to gauge the effect of
their measures. The spread of the disease is being closely monitored, which
means that more people are turning to their phones to keep track of the progress
and ensure they stay a safe distance away from one another.
What Next?
When the pandemic is over, will we go back to our old ways? Will using social
media become as common as it was before the pandemic? These are difficult
questions to answer, as we don’t know when or if the pandemic will end.
Even now, researchers are discovering new aspects of the Coronavirus. In the
meantime, we have to adapt to survive. This means that even when the pandemic is
over, we won’t go back to how things were before. We’ll have to change in order to
continue living our lives how we want to.
That being said, we have to remain vigilant. If we keep up with all the
updates and precautions surrounding the pandemic, then we’ll be able to limit
the effects it has on our lives. We’ll also be able to continue using social
media as we see fit. As long as our security and privacy remain a priority, people
will continue to use social media platforms to stay informed and connected.