S.M. Yasir Arafat|Araz Ramazan Ahmad|Hersh Rasool Murad|Hardawan Mahmoud Kakashekh
Perceived Impact of Social Media on Panic Buying: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey in Iraqi Kurdistan
University of Raparin|Tishk International University|Sulaimani Polytechnic University|Salahaddin University-Erbil
background social media impact panic buying creating fear disseminating pictures videos people purchasing extra goods state panic covid19 pandemic aim aimed evaluate perceived impact social media panic buying behaviors iraqi kurdistan region methods crosssectional survey conducted october 10 november 25 2020 selfreported instrument designed english translated kurdish language conduct study disseminated social media platforms facebook viber whatsapp email via link 466 responses collected social media users statistical computations performed using spss version 21 results majority respondents male 622 amplt25 years old 439 completed bachelors degree 539 respondents 863 used facebook among respondents 421 involved panic buying 328 respondents thought social media platforms influence panic buying 861 respondents thought social media sensible reporting 884 thought reporting controlled 785 thought photos empty shelves avoided significant positive statistical correlation r 084 social media use panic buying among consumers covid19 pandemic iraqi kurdistan p amplt0001 conclusion research assessed social media affects buying behavior particularly iraq collective measures sensible use adequate media literacy needed prevent behaviors least public health emergencies