Numerous studies over the years have shown that social media can have a detrimental impact on our emotional wellbeing.  During the Covid pandemic, however, lockdown measures meant that much of our contact with others was done via digital channels.  Research from the University of Kent explores whether this is an adequate substitute for face-to-face contact.  Indeed, digital-only contact can actually be harmful, especially for young people.

The researchers focused on the first lockdown period of the pandemic, when social isolation was mandated and face-to-face interactions heavily restricted.  While digital communication tools were pervasive during this period, the researchers wanted to test how useful they were in maintaining social contact and wellbeing.

Digital relations

They found that text and video-based messaging apps were particularly harsh on the wellbeing of young adults, and especially those who scored highly for empathy.

The pandemic had an impact on the face-to-face meetings that did take place during the first lockdown, however, as perceptions of household vulnerability to the virus diminished any positive effect of the interaction.  The impact of communicating virtually did not diminish people’s willingness to maintain virtual connections, however, with communication continuing even at a distance.

“We know that face-to-face contact has lots of benefits for social communication, interactions and wellbeing,” the researchers explain. “But at a time when face-to-face contact potentially incurred threat to the health and safety of ourselves and others, would digital contact replace its benefits?”

“Our multi-national data show that only face-to-face contact was good for wellbeing. With the potential for further social isolation over the Winter period, these results are critically important to guide individual choices and encourage policies to support people’s physical and mental health.”

If Covid is to elicit a prolonged period whereby our primary communication is virtually rather than face-to-face, be that socially or professionally, it may be worth looking into just how beneficial that is to our wellbeing.

“As a highly social species, human beings are able to adapt much of their social interactions to online modes, yet our research shows that not all our social needs can be fully met online,” the authors conclude.  “We found that ultimately, digital contact does not promote wellbeing in the way that face-to-face does.

“Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, we need more research to look into the impact that reduced physical interaction can have on young people and the implications of sustained, isolated digital contact.”