Connection in Isolation: Social Media and Human Relationships During COVID-19

Introduction

During the COVID-19 lockdown, everyday life moved almost entirely online. Classes, friendships and even family relationships were experienced through screens, making social media one of the primary ways people stayed connected. However, constant online interaction did not always translate into genuine emotional closeness.

To better understand this experience, we asked young people from different countries to reflect on how social media influenced their relationships and well-being during lockdown. Each section of this article is written by a different author, bringing together a variety of perspectives to create a broader understanding of what “connection” truly meant during a time of global isolation.

Elena Sarritzu

Social Media use During Lockdown

Although social media is often criticized for consuming too much of our time, during the COVID-19 lockdown it became an essential part of daily life. With physical interaction restricted, digital platforms provided one of the only ways for people to communicate, maintain relationships and feel connected to the outside world.

According to our survey, every participant had access to a mobile device during lockdown, and 50.8% reported spending more than five hours per day on social media. While this amount of screen time might seem excessive today, during lockdown it became the norm for many people.

The survey also revealed that Instagram was the most widely used platform, particularly for meeting new people and staying socially engaged, while WhatsApp ranked second due to its accessibility for messaging family members and participating in video calls. These platforms became essential tools for maintaining communication and reducing feelings of isolation during an uncertain and unprecedented period.

Nicolò Pietro Pinna

The Positive Side: Connection

The COVID-19 lockdown revealed an unexpectedly positive aspect of social media: its ability to create global connection during a time of physical separation. Survey responses showed that students from countries including Italy, Canada, the Czech Republic, Ghana and India used digital platforms to share experiences, communicate and feel part of a broader international community.

Social media and online communication tools provided important emotional support through video calls, group chats and online gaming. The survey data reflected this shift in communication habits: while all participants reported using platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram, many specifically relied on video calls and group chats to replace face-to-face interaction. Most respondents also reported spending more than five hours online each day, using digital communication to maintain friendships and strengthen relationships despite physical distance.

One participant from Canada described social media as “positive” because it “allowed me to stay connected with friends and family and feel in touch with the world and the news.” Experiences such as these demonstrate how technology became a powerful tool for emotional connection, helping people overcome feelings of isolation and maintain relationships across cultures during a global crisis.

Irene Ungari

The Negative Side: Limits and Loneliness

While social media served as an important tool for staying connected with family and friends during quarantine, the experience of lockdown varied significantly, particularly for those without consistent access to internet-enabled devices. Even among those who were active online, several respondents in our survey reported that social media had a negative impact on their well-being during this time. Many noted an increased dependence on social media, along with the development of unrealistic beauty and health standards.

One respondent shared that they “lost the urge to study or do anything in a social context” following quarantine, while another explained that “the constant comparison with people online started to become too present in my day-to-day life… it was also a time of strong detachment from reality.” These reflections highlight how prolonged digital engagement, while connective on the surface, could also intensify feelings of disconnection.

When asked what they missed most during lockdown, many respondents pointed to face-to-face communication and physical touch- key elements of human connection that virtual interaction could not fully replicate. Additionally, when asked whether they felt disconnected from others despite being able to communicate online, a majority reported feeling disconnected “quite a lot.” This finding is particularly striking given that many respondents also indicated they still felt emotionally close to their friends through digital communication, suggesting a complex gap between perceived connection and lived experience.

Overall, while social media played a crucial role in maintaining communication during lockdown, it also revealed its limitations as a substitute for genuine human connection. The increased reliance on digital platforms not only heightened comparison and unrealistic standards but also contributed to feelings of detachment and disconnection for many individuals. These findings suggest that although social media can support connection in times of isolation, it cannot fully replace the emotional depth and authenticity of in-person interactions, highlighting the importance of balance in how we engage with these platforms.

Rebekah AuYeung

After the Lockdown: What’s Changed

The end of the lockdown did not mean a simple return to our old lives. Instead, the experience left lasting effects on our digital habits. Our questionnaire results show that many people now have a much greater awareness of the limits of social media. While digital platforms were essential for staying in touch, most participants now realize that virtual connection cannot fully replace meeting in person.  

Because of this, many respondents reported a permanent shift in how they use these tools. We found that even when people were "constantly online," many still reported feeling lonely, highlighting a gap that digital communication couldn't fill. As one participant noted, the lockdown created a "greater awareness of the limits" of being digital. This data proves that while we are still connected today, we now better understand that being online does not always mean being truly close

Markéta Bačinová

Conclusion

Overall, the results of our survey demonstrate that social media played a crucial role during the COVID-19 lockdown, becoming an essential part of communication and daily life. Digital platforms allowed people to maintain relationships, stay informed and feel less isolated during an extremely difficult period.

At the same time, the experiences shared by participants also revealed the limitations of online communication. Despite being constantly connected through screens, many individuals continued to experience loneliness, emotional distance and detachment from reality. These findings highlight the complexity of human connection and show that digital interaction cannot fully replace the emotional depth of face-to-face relationships.

Even after the pandemic, the effects of lockdown continue to influence people’s digital habits and perspectives on communication. Ultimately, social media helped people stay connected during a time of crisis, but it also reminded us that genuine closeness extends far beyond the screen.

Stella Carta