COMMENT | Stop scrolling, start talking

COMMENT | Have you noticed what happens when families go out to eat these days?

Everyone is sitting at the table, but there’s barely any chatter. Each person is swiping and tapping on their smartphone, waiting for the food to arrive. When the food arrives, the camera eats first, with the internet invited to the meal.

This scene captures the irony of social media. While it connects us to a vast world of information, memes, and influencers we will never meet, it often yanks us away from the people right in front of us.

Digital engagement has taken over face-to-face conversation. Instead of meaningful talk, we send brief tweets and short texts. No wonder we sometimes feel there is not much to talk about.

When we do chat, it is often sparked by something we saw on TikTok or Instagram, shared without much thought.