It was a simpler era before the Internet went overboard, people would meet, suss each other out, before forming lasting friendships. There was no easy way out, as the ease of today’s Facebook or Instagram friendships was not even in contention. Nowadays, though thanks to the rise of the smart generation, we are seeing more and more of these kinds of “Internet-enabled” friendships. Professor Robert Jensen from the School of Journalism, University of Texas who was recently in the city voiced concerns about this, saying, “Digital tools may connect people but they can’t create solidarity among people to take risks.” Social media helps us connect with people across the globe but do they create strong bonds and friendship?”
City professional Navneet Chauhan explains, “Although social media brings people closer, I do not think this is the right platform to form strong bonds and relationships. A strong bond can only be formed when people meet face to face. In terms of connectivity too, social media is great for a bond to be initiated, but personal interaction needs to be inculcated. I think on social media, we can see only the positive side of the person, it is only when we meet them do we get know both their positives as well as negatives.”
Common ground or mutual interest also helps create lasting bonds among people. Aerospace engineer Shubham Sham Sangodkar agrees, “I think for people to connect with each other, it is important to have a common interest. Social media platforms like Facebook have features to filter our likes. I feel mediums like Facebook and You Tube are a stepping stone to build a bond with an individual, the actual bond or friendship can only happen when people meet and interact. For example, I connected with a person on youtube based on our common interest about helicopters. When he visited the country, I got a chance to meet him, and this strengthened our friendship.”
Alisha Bista, a student in the city feels social media can only act as a catalyst, “Bonding over social media has a very fragile existence and emotions have no value at all. Meeting a person creates a bond that can tell you their true nature.
The experience of meeting and talking to an individual is something that can easily be compared to social media interactions, and win.”
While this is the age of the smart millennials, sociologist Romica Vasudev cautions, “Social media evokes sentiments and emotions but when it comes to long-term bonds and friendships, social media like Facebook and Instagram is not only narcissistic but also gives a self of false well-being. It’s more about having followers and friends than forming strong bonds. Relationships and strong bonds need to be nourished and cultivated and this cannot happen over social media.” Advice one should surely heed.
