51.24 YOUTH SOCIAL MEDIA USE BEFORE AND DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Objectives: The objective of this presentation is to compare youth self-reported social media use and its impacts before and during the COVID-19 pandemic Social Media Initial Questionnaire (SMIQ) paper self-reports in 2019 are compared to the electronic Social Media Initial Questionnaire-Revised (SMIQ-r) modified to elicit reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 This poster will emphasize changes in youth social media use in 2020 during social distancing and increased social isolation Methods: A total of 66 mental health clinic patients aged 8 to 20 years (50% males) completed the SMIQ, developed by the authors (Michael L Feldmeier, MD, and Roxy Szeftel, MD) on paper in January and February 2019, surveying social media use and interference with functioning Fifty psychiatric clinic patients aged 8 to 20 years (48% males) completed the de-identified SMIQ-r Google Forms survey, developed by the authors (Dr Feldmeier;Dr Szeftel;Christina Guest, MD;Caroly Pataki, MD), on their cell phones regarding social media use modified to reflect the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020 Results: From 2019 to 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, youths continue to report the same favorite social media apps (Instagram, YouTube) on the SMIQ-r, although the number of youths reporting experiences online has changed The percent of youths reporting arguments online decreased from 2019 to 2020 (44% to 4%) Decreases were also seen in “fear of missing out” when looking at other's social media (32% to 20%) and in time that social media interferes with family (26% to 12%) Youths also noted a preference for in-person friends compared to online during the COVID-19 pandemic, and expressed missing their friends and school as the most difficult change since the COVID-19 pandemic began Additionally, 40% of youths reported an increase in sadness, and 34% of youths reported an increase in anxiety since the COVID-19 pandemic began Conclusions: Our conclusions are as follows: 1) compared to 2019, youth in 2020 reported a stronger preference for, and more highly valued, in-person friends;2) youth reported that life is harder in 2020 particularly due to missing both friends and school;3) since online school, youth report more anxiety and sadness;4) SMIQ-r electronic Google Forms survey format used by youth on cell phones proved to be user-friendly and efficient;and 5) social media interference with school and homework was similar in 2019 and 2020, lower in 2020 for sleep, and rarely interfered in family life DS, R, MED