Why Have We Forgotten True Closeness While Being Online?

And to remain “in touch” all the time, all we need is a smartphone with

access to the internet. Yet many of us feel lonely. Even with hundreds of “friends” on social media, we experience a painful lack of meaningful communication. Why does the internet create only an illusion of presence, and how can we truly be present for others in the digital age? Let’s find out.

How the meaning of “being in touch” has changed

The average person now spends around 6–7 hours online every day—equivalent to a full-time job. In the past, we would have spent this time on hobbies, walks or real-life meetings. Today, we mindlessly scroll through social media and reply on messaging apps.

At the same time, the very concept of “being in touch” has changed dramatically. It no longer simply means being open to conversation. It has become an obligation to be immediately available around the clock and to obsessively check notifications. As a result, most users live in constant fear that disconnecting from the internet even for a few hours means they will miss something important.

What is especially telling is that the quality of our relationships has suffered most of all. Here is why:

• We have stopped calling one another, increasingly choosing text messages instead. The problem is that text lacks emotional nuance. It contains none of the nonverbal signals present in a real conversation. As a result, even simple messages can be misunderstood. Hence the frequent misunderstandings and conflicts in chats.
• Our ability to concentrate has shortened. We have become accustomed to consuming information quickly and forgotten how to listen attentively to the person we are speaking with. Many people listen to voice messages at 1.5x or even 2x speed to save time. As a result, a real conversation, which cannot be “sped up,” often seems boring or even irritating.
• We have stopped discussing important and difficult topics. Most chats concern superficial matters, while heartfelt conversations happen much less often.

As a result, despite countless ways of communicating, we do not feel truly close to one another. In most cases, people do not have meaningful conversations; they merely exchange information quickly—without warmth or depth. That is why, even while remaining in constant contact, we still feel lonely. We continue to lack understanding and emotional support.

Social media and messaging apps: a shop window instead of dialogue

At first, social media really was a place where people met and talked. Over time, however, it turned into something best described as a “shop window.” Most users try to show only the best aspects of their lives in order to appear successful, fulfilled and happy. Travel, successful relationships, professional achievements and expensive purchases are the content that most often attracts attention. Difficulties, failures and everyday problems usually remain hidden.

This “perfect facade” is precisely what often explains why people talk so little to one another on social media. It creates distance: when looking at someone’s seemingly perfect life, we inevitably compare it with our own and experience various destructive emotions. As a result, both those who publish such content and those who consume it suffer from a lack of communication. People remain in constant informational contact and know what is happening in their friends’ lives, yet still feel deprived of genuine interaction.

The format of communication itself makes the situation worse. Interaction on social media often comes down to likes, brief comments and reactions to stories. All of this creates an illusion of participating in other people’s lives. In reality, however, this form of contact rarely leads to close relationships. Most people need something more—a genuine presence from another person. That is why, even with many virtual friends, we still cannot get rid of the feeling of loneliness.

Chat roulette: face to face through a screen

Online video chat roulette has become a true lifeline in the digital age. It restores what we have lost in text-based communication: facial expressions, tone of voice and gestures. On chat roulette, we talk to a person, not to letters on a screen. We can see our conversation partner as if time zones and distance no longer mattered. Genuine emotions and reactions are visible immediately, so there is no need to guess what the other person truly feels.

CooMeet.chat is particularly popular among users. What distinguishes it from other online chats is its gender filter—men talk exclusively with women here, and vice versa. As a result, the platform is often used to look for love. After all, every connection is a real chance to meet a kindred spirit. In addition, the random chat offers high-quality moderation and has no fake profiles or bots. By using chat roulette CooMeet, you can be sure that there is a real person on the other side of the screen who genuinely wants to talk.

Of course, video communication is not a magic cure for loneliness. Physical presence is still missing. It is impossible to experience another person’s presence in the same way as during a face-to-face meeting. Nevertheless, video is a bridge that helps us grow closer. There is no doubt that video calls cannot replace meeting in person. However, they are the best way to make online communication more human and warm.

How to restore depth to relationships in the digital age

The most important thing is to start making time for one another in real life. Today, many couples do not even put their smartphones away during a date. Therefore, if you want to restore warmth and depth to a relationship, it is important to start talking without phones. When you are talking to someone close to you, put your smartphone away. After all, when you scroll through your feed or check notifications, communication becomes superficial. You are not fully focused on the person you are speaking with—and it shows. No wonder they will not want to share something personal if they feel that you are not really listening to them.

We also recommend not relying exclusively on text messages for communication. Instead of sending short messages, try calling or talking by video more often. And, of course, it is important not to be afraid of openness. On the internet, we have become accustomed to hiding everything that might seem “inappropriate.” However, deep relationships require honesty. Allow yourself to be imperfect, share what is really happening in your life, and do not be afraid to ask uncomfortable questions. This is the only way to truly get to know one another and grow closer.