This study cautions against spending too much time on social media for COVID-19 information because of its possible link to anxiety and depression.

One-fifth of the general population and one-fifth of the health professional population in China reported anxiety and depression, and about one-third of each of these populations spent more than two hours per day consuming COVID-19 information on social media. Caution is warranted when searching social media for COVID-19 news given the infodemic and emotional contagion disseminated through online platforms. However, the internet may be used positively by monitoring the effect of the pandemic on mental health (possibly thorough online social support) and by restoring daily routines and telemedicine opportunities.