The role of social media in enhancing health awareness, social support and educational progress among university students in Oman during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey

This study examined the role of social media in promoting health awareness, strengthening social support, and maintaining educational continuity among university students during the early stage of the COVID-19 lockdown in Oman. It also explored the major challenges associated with social media use during this unprecedented public health emergency. A descriptive-analytical design was employed using an online survey administered to 380 undergraduate students at Sultan Qaboos University during the suspension of face-to-face teaching in April and May 2020. The findings indicate that social media played an important role in enhancing students’ awareness of COVID-19-related health issues, with a high overall awareness score (M = 40.92, SD = 5.47; relative strength = 85%). Students also reported substantial social benefits (M = 50.15, SD = 8.19; relative strength = 84%), particularly in strengthening social responsibility, maintaining communication with family and friends, and reducing the effects of social isolation. In addition, social media contributed positively to educational continuity during the lockdown (M = 30.80, SD = 7.89), especially by facilitating access to learning materials, communication with instructors, and the submission of assignments. Despite these benefits, students identified several important challenges (M = 34.02, SD = 5.67; relative strength = 77%), including the spread of misinformation and rumors, unreliable online content, high internet costs, and technical and connectivity problems. The findings highlight the value of social media as a complementary tool for health communication, social connectedness, and educational continuity during public health emergencies. They also provide insights that may inform digital communication strategies in higher education and public health campaigns. Although the study did not specifically investigate social work students or practitioners, the findings may also inform the development of digital competencies and electronic social work education for crisis preparedness. Further research should examine the role of social workers and social work education in emergencies and disaster contexts.