Over the past decade, we have witnessed how social media has radically changed the way we relate to each other. Various platforms have enabled us to stay connected with people, whether friends, family, or communities, who are physically far from us. Despite allowing this interconnection, some argue that the quality of these online connections is often limited and that social media contributes to social isolation.
However, in the following two examples, I will briefly attempt to refute this idea:
- Social media, when used mindfully, can improve relationships and offer emotional support. According to a study analyzing whether posting status updates on Facebook increased or decreased feelings of loneliness, the results showed that the reduction in loneliness among users was due to feeling more connected with their friends on a daily basis. A clear example of this is the COVID-19 lockdowns, where social media became a significant source of support during difficult times. It allowed us to feel accompanied and stay connected daily with those closest to us.
- Social media has also proven effective in creating online support communities where people can feel cared for, share experiences, support each other, and empathize. One clear example is that of gender-based violence survivors, who have found social media to be a safe space for mutual support where they do not feel alone and feel understood.
Therefore, I believe we should avoid positions that hold social media solely responsible for weakening social connections. These are just a few examples, and there are many more, where social media contributes not only to strengthening interpersonal relationships but also to combating loneliness. The possibility of staying connected, receiving emotional support, and creating support communities assigns social media a vital role in enhancing human relationships in the digital age.
(Photo by Chris Montgomery from Unsplash)
Editor of Daily 27.
Predoctoral researcher at the Department of Sociology in University of Barcelona.