OBJECTIVE: to analyze and understand COVID-19 prevention by nursing students through social networks in their family-social environment. METHOD: a qualitative descriptive-interpretative study, developed in the nursing school of a public university in Lima, Peru, from October to December 2020. Students from the fourth and fifth year of studies participated. Data were collected with the technique of focus groups (2) and analyzed with thematic content analysis. RESULTS: two categories emerged: Using various social networks in times of pandemic; Considering themselves trained for COVID-19 prevention through social networks in their family-social circle. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: nursing students carry out COVID-19 prevention in their family-social circle through social networks, showing satisfaction in the transmission of knowledge, considering the people's physical-emotional condition and local health status, perceiving themselves as agents of change, seeking people empowerment.