Abstract

he COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly transformed the landscape of adolescent socialization, prompting a significant shift away from traditional face-to-face interactions and towards online avenues for connection and engagement. This dramatic shift has been driven by the global impact of the pandemic, which has led to widespread changes in various aspects of life, including education (Sangster et al., 2020). With the implementation of lockdowns and school closures, the education system was forced to adapt quickly, leading to the widespread adoption of online learning platforms. This rapid transition to virtual classrooms significantly impacted Higher Education Institutions (HEIS), requiring both educators and students to make major adjustments (Maskari et al., 2021). However, disparities in internet connectivity hampered the accessibility and effectiveness of online learning, exacerbating existing inequalities in educational opportunities for students from different socioeconomic backgrounds (Bozkurt & Sharma, 2020).