When the infamous COVID pandemic hit in 2020, and social distancing was a required obligation for every individual for safety reasons, we learned what it means to be isolated from each other. However, as human beings, we seek social interactions, and especially those of us who are extroverts, would not even imagine ourselves living without a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Not only personal preferences but also science proves that social networking and healthy relationships are beneficial for our mental health, as well as physical well-being. My perspective on this topic is that individuals would not be able to grow to the whole capacity of their nature unless they had the exchange of experiences, and even discussions and debates.
Luckily, I can imagine that many people share this point of view, but why do we keep living in our digital solitude when all we need as social beings is human interaction?
In this article, you will find some of the reasons why a group of people in the same room may stick to their Instagram and TikTok feeds instead of talking to each other, and whether it’s necessarily a negative sign or not.
We Find Like-Minded People in Digital Communities
One big reason we love online spaces? They make it super easy to connect with people who share our weird hobbies and interests in a way that the real world just can’t match. Think about it – how many people within 50 miles of you are totally into, say, weaving tapestries from the 1500s or the stories from those old Barsoom sci-fi books?
But online, there are thriving communities for even the most specific interests and hobbies you can imagine. For instance, if we talk about online casino activities which have become very popular recently, there are gaming forums where people who regularly play Texas Hold’Em online have intense discussions, and strategy guides for a winning outcome of the game.
There are special Facebook Groups where people who love to dress up like historical figures can share tips on how to make clothes and props that look exactly like the real thing. On audio apps like Clubhouse, there are rooms where people who are super into music theory can challenge each other on stuff like key signatures.
These online communities give us that feeling of belonging and friendship that we all want as social creatures. Finally, you find people who just “understand” – people who share your crazy excitement about video game secrets, analyzing old photos, or whatever nerdy thing you’re really into. All of a sudden, you’re not alone anymore; you’re part of a giant international group of hobbyists who are just a click away.
Entertainment is More Engaging
Let’s be honest – for many of us, opening up Instagram or TikTok and doom-scrolling through infinitely personalized content feeds has become a more enjoyable evening pastime than reading a good book, which seems odd to mee, truth be told. Those endless video reels and meme carousels foster a level of engagement that traditional media struggles to match.
Part of it comes down to the sheer addictive psychology behind social apps’ design. They leverage advanced algorithms to analyze our consumption patterns and steadily refine the content being served to us. That level of hyper-personalized, prediction-driven material creates a remarkably seamless and frictionless experience catered to your uniquely revealed interests and preferences.
But it also taps into a deeper need for endlessly refreshable novelty and human affirmation. Those apps provide an infinite well of surprises, jokes, pop culture references, and expressions of identity and status to react to and engage with. Every time you swipe, there’s a chance to connect with someone – maybe you’ll leave a funny comment on a meme or share a strong opinion in a chat with your friends.
Social Interaction is Still There, Just Digitized
Even though some people worry that smartphones are pushing us apart and social media is turning us into pure phone savvies, let’s not forget the important factor: We’re still talking to each other a lot, we’ve just moved those conversations to new online platforms that fit our busy lives better, accepting all their advantages and disadvantages as part of the industry.
Today’s texting apps, group chats, live streams, and virtual hangout spaces help us stay close to the people we care about, even if they live far away. We might not see each other in person as often, but our basic human needs for friendship and connection are still being fulfilled through messaging apps like WhatsApp.
It’s like the digital version of what we would do if we all lived on the same street: we’d just chat casually, tell silly jokes, share important news, and celebrate each other’s achievements. Sure, we do it on a screen instead of at the local restaurant, but the friendships themselves are basically the same, just using a new way to connect.
And that’s not even counting all the completely new ways technology lets us connect with people today: Watching shows together online with friends who live far away, joining online communities with people who share our interests, building things together in Minecraft, or even just exploring weird videos on YouTube with loved ones over a video call. Digital or not, it’s all about connection.
