A COVID-19 catch-22: Challenges and opportunities of social connection technologies


Having just crossed the threshold of a year since COVID-19 became a global pandemic, there has been ample time to observe the ways in which technology has been used as a means of fostering social connectedness.  As a result of widespread restrictions on face-to-face contact, social isolation and loneliness have become increasingly salient issues for the general population and a particularly pressing issue for older adults. Beyond the pandemic, social isolation and loneliness have been associated with a host of negative outcomes, particularly with respect to mental health. We are now seeing the negative effects on mental health as a result of the pandemic. Read more