Result
The increasing digitalisation of society is not only affecting the labour market, but also the private sphere, leisure time and interpersonal encounters. Currently, more than three out of four citizens believe that social contacts are suffering or becoming less frequent as a result of this development, leading to people becoming increasingly isolated.
A look at the comparative figures reveals two things: on the one hand, this view was shared by „only“ half of the population a quarter of a century ago, but on the other hand, the figure has also fallen in the last five years and is currently at the same level as ten years ago.
Reasons
Our society is being increasingly shaped by advancing medialisation and digitalisation, which is reflected in the now everyday use of digital media such as computers, tablets, smartphones, TV programmes, streaming services, websites, computer games, apps and social media offerings. This flood of offers leads to a feeling of being overwhelmed and reduced personal contact with others for a large majority of the population. They regret the decreasing social closeness, the restriction of non-verbal conversation and the reduced time for longer conversations. At the same time, many see the danger of losing themselves in the digital world, becoming isolated, anonymised and minimising real contacts.
The age differences in the perception of this development are significant. Younger people who have grown up with these media as „digital natives“ utilise the possibilities of virtual contacts more intensively. Nevertheless, they also criticise the instability and fleeting nature of these contacts, as well as the risks of cyberbullying, data protection abuse and social control through digital networks. Older citizens also often feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of technological development or even digitally left behind and alone.
The decline since 2018 can be attributed to various reasons. Many people have become accustomed to digital means of communication and have found ways to maintain close social ties. The quality and accessibility of digital communication has also improved in recent years and developments in the field of video communication in particular (Zoom, Facetime, video calls, etc.) are shifting the focus away from the written word and back towards verbal communication. In addition, the increased awareness of the problem and the risk of loneliness has led some people to invest more time and energy in maintaining personal contacts and using digital media in a more balanced way.
Forecast
The way we communicate has undoubtedly changed dramatically as a result of digitalisation and will continue to be significantly influenced by it in the future. As long as we are online with our smartphone, we can be reached by anyone and can easily access all available contacts. On the one hand, this constant accessibility gives us the feeling that we are never alone, but on the other hand, this is precisely what increases anonymisation and isolation in society, namely when more attention is paid to the virtual world than the real world.
The decisive factor for the future will be the extent to which measures are taken to maximise the positive aspects of digitalisation (which do exist) while minimising the negative effects on social relationships.
Of particular importance in this context are
- Adaptation of education systems: Schools and universities must play a key role in teaching digital skills that go beyond the technical use of digital media. This includes promoting online etiquette, critical thinking in the digital space and awareness of the impact of digital communication on one's own life.
- Promoting real encounters: More face-to-face meetings, more community activities and shared experiences in real space will encourage a balance between digital and face-to-face interaction.
- Technological innovations: The development of new technologies that enable deeper and more authentic interaction will further improve the way we communicate digitally.
The future of communication in the digital age will therefore be an interplay of technological development, social adaptation and individual awareness of the impact of digital media. Continuous consideration and adaptation are therefore required to ensure a balance between digital networking and personal proximity.
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