Communication through video calling advances in technology have created positive social outcomes, especially during the Pandemic but in ways to help all of us who get busy living life. I often video conference using FaceTime with my immediate family. It brings a sense of closeness to a phone conversation. During the Covid Closure of 2020, I learned to use Facebook Messenger with my android friends and family. Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meets, and other formats have added social interactions to phone calls and added to our message of togetherness, even when we can’t actually be together.
I know that some people had Video call fatigue, however, without it we would have lost valuable connections with our workplace, colleagues, friends, and family during the Pandemic. The fatigue comes with all staff meetings. I feel that the effects of loneliness during the Pandemic would have been worse without video calling. I remember playing video games with groups of people through Facebook Messenger and the laughs were nonstop. I know that the service of the internet showed inequities in certain neighborhoods during the Pandemic, but overall most found ways to communicate using some type of video platform.
I do not have statistics on the positive effects at the moment, but I feel that video calling is here to stay and has positively impacted our personal and professional phone conservations. I did find this quote,
“VIDEOCONFERENCING HAS BECOME TOO BIG A PART OF LIFE FOR APPLE TO TREAT AS A MINOR PART OF ITS PORTFOLIO (Fast Company 6-9-2021).”
This confirms that video calling platforms are in need when articles are mentioning that companies need to invest more time to improve them. Many people have to work far away from beloved family and friends, so video calling can connect us and has made a positive impact on our relationships.
What are your thoughts?
-Rebecca McGrath-Hinkle
mrs.mcgrathh@gmail.com
