Introduction

Social interaction can be understood as a process of meaning-making through which we exchange thoughts, manage information, react to ideas and relate. In simpler terms, social interaction can broadly be understood as an exchange between two or more individuals. Humans do require social interactions to express ourselves, understand others and cumulatively evolve as societies. Although healthy social connections are believed to improve positive feedback loop of physical, mental and emotional well-being and contribute to longevity^[i], for a variety of reasons, including the pandemic and subsequent social distancing measures, social interactions and connections are perceived to be steadily declining. The decline in human connectedness and subsequent surge of virtual exchanges pose an unprecedented threat to the quality of human relationships, and the very nature of societies. Therefore, it becomes imperative to access its potential impacts that are yet unknown but can be far-reaching.

Social Media

Earlier on December 1^st, Oxford announced its 2024 Word of the Year: ‘Brain Rot.’ As described in the Oxford English Dictionary, the word is often used by young people on social media to refer to the ‘supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state,’ particularly stemming from overconsumption of trivial online content. Although ‘brain rot’ is not a medically recognized condition, it represents a condition of mental fogginess, lethargy, reduced attention span, and cognitive decline, effectively caused by an overabundance of screen time.

In another example from early November this year, Australia passed a law banning social media use for children under 16, restricting them from accessing platforms like Instagram, X, and Snapchat, among others. The law also mandated that tech giants, including Meta and TikTok, prevent minors from logging in or face fines of up to $32 million USD. Similarly, in February, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a prohibition on smartphones in all schools across England. According to the UK Education Secretary, the guideline aimed to eliminate ‘unwanted distractions in the classroom’ and allow teachers to ‘focus on teaching.’ These examples of government policy actions worldwide bring me to the central theme of this article: how social media and digital interactions are shaping our lives and what individuals, parents, or schools can do to address the challenges they may pose today or in the future.

The use of social media has become a modern phenomenon that dominates our lives and has fundamentally changed the way people communicate and interact. Traditional forms of social interaction, limited by time and space, have been conquered by the development of information technology. Keeping in touch with friends has become easier, talking to family has become instantaneous, meeting new people and connecting globally has become faster than ever. However, as much as it brings the world closer together virtually, it also seems to isolate people in reality, affect our ability to communicate face-to-face and develop superficial relationships. Broader cultural and social influence of social media on its regular users was also convincingly put together in the infamous documentary from 2020, ‘The Social Dilemma’.

The pattern of declining social interactions is not limited to developed countries with rich technological infrastructure and tech-friendly populations, nor is it exclusive to tech-savvy millennials. From cities to villages, children to the elderly, spending time on social media has become routine for everyone, everywhere. 

Effect on children

Until 1970, a child was typically exposed to digital screens (mostly TV) at the age of four. For a child born today, this happens when they are just four months old.^[ii] The first five years are the most critical period in a child's development. This is when they learn basic communication, behaviour and control. They learn by interacting with the physical environment and the adults around them. But excessive screen time can interfere with this process as they develop what researchers call ‘tunnel vision’, where they are not as engaged in typical everyday activities.^[iii]

A longitudinal study of children aged 2 to 5 years showed that children who spent one hour a day in front of a screen made significantly slower progress in key developmental milestones related to communication, problem solving and social interaction.^[iv] Similarly, another study shows that increased TV exposure between the ages of six and 18 months is associated with emotional reactivity, aggression, and externalising behaviour.^[v]

Effect on youths

Around 95% of young people between the age of 13-17 use at least one social media platform.^[vi] This level of social media presence for under-18s puts them at high risk of cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content. A 2019 cohort study found that young people aged 12-15 who spend more than three hours a day on social media are twice as likely to experience mental health problems, including symptoms of anxiety and depression.^[vii] Studies have further provided evidence of the causal impact of social relationships on health, showing that lack of social connections can be more detrimental to health than obesity, smoking and high blood pressure.^[viii] 

Effect on couples

The proliferation of technology or technological devices has led to interruptions or disruptions in family life, referred to as “technoference”. Such technoference has been found to affect romantic relationships between couples and their personal and relational well-being. A cross-sectional study found that couples who reported higher levels of technoference in their relationships also reported more conflict over technology use, lower relationship satisfaction, more depressive symptoms, and lower overall life satisfaction.^[ix]

Effect on parents

Social media has made day-to-day communication for families simpler and maintaining interpersonal relationships much easier. It is, however, surprising to learn from a Pew Research Center study that two-thirds of parents in the US think parenting is harder today, largely because of technology such as smartphones or social media.^[x] As social media has become ubiquitous, it has affected modern parenting by distracting parents and reducing parental engagement. Responsible parenting requires undivided attention, frequent eye to eye contact and one-on-one time with a child. Distracted by the use of social media, studies suggest that parents today are less in tune with their children.^[xi] 

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Predicted to be the next industrial revolution, advances in AI will transform the way we work and live. Overwhelming advances in AI may consequently increase our digital engagement, making us more dependent on technology, less inclined to engage socially, and increasingly distant from each other. As AI-driven communication tools become more advanced, they will continue to impact human-to-human communication and the way we interact. In this context, we cannot ignore the expansion of AI and technology and its potential impact on social interactions, human relationships and emotional exchanges. 

Way Forward

The global emergence of technologies and exponential shifts in culture have transformed our way of life and will continue to do so. Without knowing the long-term effects of increasing digital interactions and declining social interactions on civilization and humanity, it seems as if we are living in a gigantic uncontrolled experiment for which there is no reset button. The best way forward would be to adapt to the changes and optimise our lives in ways that do not compromise the human intricacies of life. 

Digital technology is the steam engine of the post-industrial era and societies will revolve around and be transformed by it. But as our digital engagement increases, we should ensure that it does not replace real human interactions comprising love, empathy and care. Social interactions function as an important building block of society and thus, without it, societies can fall into the danger of losing their fundamental fabrics, norms and meanings. 

For families

Strong evidence suggests that awareness-raising of parents and other simple approaches can significantly reduce children’s screen time.^[xii] Early habits of screen-watching may later cluster with other poor habits such as poor diet and sleep. Parents at home must adopt some intervention techniques aimed at replacing children’s screen time with other productive and healthy behaviours. It can begin with steps as simple as not allowing mobile phones and other digital devices at the dinner table, in the car or in the living room. Parents must care to spend quality one-on-one time and engage with children to support their healthy growth and development. Similarly, as role models within the family, parents must remain mindful of limiting their own social media use and online habits. Families today must take responsibility for setting healthy technology limits at home.^[xiii] 

For workplaces

Work takes up most of our daily productive hours and the workload can obviously be exhausting. Away from the computer desk and monotonous routine, employees should have time and environment to engage socially. According to Forbes, employees with social connections at work tend to be more engaged, happy and loyal.^[xiv] Employees who work in a collaborative and happy environment may also find it easier to spend more quality time with their families at home. Providing shared workspace, encouraging teamwork and collaboration, organising social events and activities, and promoting open communication can all play an effective role in improving social interaction in the workplace.

For governments and policymakers

Governments at all levels should create tech-free zones and encourage face-to-face interactions by allocating and supporting public spaces, events and infrastructures such as parks, community centres and other recreational facilities. Adequate outdoor activities can help motivate people to engage with each other and maintain healthy social interactions. The creation of dedicated cycle lanes, pedestrian walkways and public transport networks can also encourage people to connect while commuting. Intergenerational programmes are needed to connect young people with older people, and this can be achieved through mentoring programmes, volunteering or other shared activities. Governments must prioritise funding studies and research into the impact of technology and social isolation on communities to inform better policy decisions and initiatives.

Conclusion

As the world navigates this digital terrain, it becomes extremely essential to strike an equilibrium between harnessing the benefits of technology and mitigating its potential drawbacks. To achieve this, fostering digital literacy, promoting ethical online behaviours, and instilling responsible technology use become critical imperatives. Digital tools and platforms have enabled global connectivity, broadened social networks, and enhanced collaboration, but it also raises concerns about the degrading frequency and quality of face-to-face interactions, digital dependencies, and decline in social skills and family values among the young generation. To ensure that we can thrive socially and maintain meaningful connections in a world driven by technology, parents, educators, society, and legislators must work together to adapt to the ever-shifting digital landscape. Ultimately, the world can traverse the digital age with resilience and confidence, seizing the opportunities it presents while preserving the fundamentals of genuine human interactions through responsible technology use and informed digital citizenship. 

References