The internet usage increases fear of infection with Covid-19

During the Covid-19 pandemic, because of convenience and efficiency, the internet has emerged as an important channel for both acquiring information and engaging in social interaction.The internet plays a crucial role in keeping individuals informed and connected during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the effects of the massive and untruthful information on the internet, as well as the excessive use of the internet during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially on the individuals fear and panic of infection with Covid-19, have not been adequately addressed. We utilize the data of Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) in the year of 2021, as one of a national, comprehensive and continuous survey projects which is conducted a cross-sectional survey among provinces in mainland China each year, to test the relationship between the internet usage and the individuals fear of infection with Covid-19. By utilizing Ordered-Probit model, we find that the higher frequency of the internet usage significantly increases the individuals fear of infection with Covid-19. On average, when individuals use the internet from never use to very often, the probability of feeling not too fearful to be infected with Covid-19 decreases by 2%. Additionally, the findings reveal that the impact is particularly pronounced among females, middle-income individuals, older individuals and those with lower educational levels. The results also indicate that the effect is greater among the individuals with chronic diseases, those who spend less time studying, and feel they are unlikely to be infected with Covid-19. Furthermore, as the frequency of internet usage increases, we observe a corresponding rise in the likelihood of receiving a vaccine, along with a change in attitudes towards the measures implemented by the government.