Conceptualizing the Effects of Anti-Asian Racism on Health and Mental Well-Being in the Social Media Space

Abstract

Asian Canadians have a long history in Canada but continue to face racism and discrimination. The current pandemic has exacerbated and, in some way, normalized anti-Asian racism. This racism has also permeated social media, which has become an increasingly prominent source of information and space for communication. While the link between racial discrimination and one’s health and mental well-being has been clearly established, less is known regarding the potential impact of racial discrimination occurring in the social media space and the health and mental well-being of Canadians—particularly Chinese and other Asian ethnic groups. This paper seeks to provide a conceptual framework to better understand the potential impacts of racism and discrimination on one’s health and mental well-being in the social media space.