Is All That Contact Actually Connection?

From our article “Digital friendship burnout: too much contact, still lonely”: Why being in constant contact with everyone can leave you lonelier than being in touch with three people properly.

Share

When your phone lights up with a group chat, what's the first feeling?

First one, before the reasonable one arrives.

Glad. I usually want to read it.Something I need to keep up with.Mild dread. I'll deal with it later.Nothing. I muted them a while ago.

How much of your contact this week happened out loud, in person or on a call?

Voices, not typing.

A decent amount of it.A little. Mostly it was text.None, but I was messaging constantly.None, and not much messaging either.

Does anyone know what's actually going on with you right now?

Actually. Not the summary version.

Yes, at least one person, in detail.They know the headline. Not the rest.No, and I don't have the energy to explain it.No. I've stopped telling people things.

If you went quiet online for two weeks, what would you lose?

Worth answering before assuming the answer.

Nothing that matters. The real ones would still be there.My place in a few conversations, probably.Honestly? It would be a relief.I already did. Nobody noticed.