The COVID-19 pandemic forced people to get creative with their social lives, resulting in the rise of online gatherings and events. While it wasn’t the same as in-person interactions, virtual raves, dance parties, and other online activities provided a crucial lifeline for many who were robbed of social connection in every other way. However, a study by researchers from Flinders University and the University of South Australia found that online socializing had no real impact on social connection or loneliness.
Lead author and tourism expert Eliza Kitchen noted that it’s much more difficult to create and maintain social connections in an online environment, limiting the opportunity for attendees to expand beyond their current social circle. Still, more than 40 percent of Australians attended between one and three virtual gatherings in 2021, with music events, private parties, and online weddings being the most popular.
While the study found that young people were strong participants, it was the older generation that felt the most benefit, reporting greater feelings of social connection and less loneliness. Yet despite these results, the researchers believe there is still a place for online connection, especially for conferences, learning events, and concerts, which offer wider reach and increased accessibility.
However, the researchers also acknowledged that some experiences simply cannot be replicated online. UniSA lecturer Julia Jones highlighted the limitations of online events in comparison to the sensory engagement and distraction that in-person events often provide.