Excessive information on social media and Generation Z's long-term Covid-19 vaccine advocacy

A Post-Pandemic Perspective

Datos Bibliográficos

ID7155682
AutoresHongfei Liu (0000-0001-6671-504X, Southampton Business School, University of Southampton , ,), Yue Meng-Lewis (0000-0003-2729-4451, The Open University Business School, The Open University), Wentong Liu (0000-0001-6478-0411, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law)
Año2025
Volumen38
Número7
Páginas2760-2796
Fecha de publicación2025-11-12
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInformation Technology and People (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0959-3845 • E-ISSN: 1758-5813
EditorialEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/itp-06-2023-0622
OpenAlexW4402501949
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas108

Purpose Social media played an irreplaceable role in young people’s online social life and information consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research focuses on the impact of excessive information on social media about COVID-19 vaccines on Generation Z's (Gen Z) associated psychological states and long-term vaccine advocacy. Design/methodology/approach The research conducted structural equation modeling analysis with online survey data from 409 Gen Z citizens in the UK. Findings The findings suggest that excessive information increased Gen Z social media users' ambivalence and conspiracy beliefs around COVID-19 vaccines, which, in turn, reduced their long-term vaccine advocacy in terms of vaccine acceptance, vaccination intention and vaccine promotion. Importantly, Gen Z’s confidence in government and in the healthcare systems during COVID-19 was effective in helping them overcome the detrimental effects of conspiracy beliefs and ambivalence about long-term vaccine advocacy, respectively. Originality/value This research reveals the “dark side” of social media use in the post-pandemic period and highlights the significant roles played by social institutions in mitigating the detrimental effects of Gen Z’s support in social decisions. Beyond the context of COVID-19, this research has important implications for facilitating the civic engagement of Gen Z and boosting their confidence in social institutions in terms of social cohesion

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Outbreak · Pandemic · Political science · Public relations · Social media · Sociology · Child Development and Digital Technology · Computer Science · Law · Medicine · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy · Virology