Why 2025 could mark the return of real-life connections over virtual ones

What started the resurgence of interest in real-life connections over virtual interactions

Gurleen Baruah, existential psychotherapist at That Culture Thing, explains that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the shift back to real-life connections. “During the pandemic, lockdowns forced people to pause and reflect on deeper questions: What is life really about? What do we value? What are we missing?” she says.

Baruah highlights how isolation made people realise the importance of everyday joys like meeting friends, hugging loved ones, or simply having face-to-face conversations. She notes, “Without these simple pleasures, many felt a sense of emptiness or existential dread.” Post-lockdown, the rush to reconnect underscored the warmth and depth of in-person interactions, reminding people of their irreplaceable value in the next few years.

Social and technological trends of 2024 that influenced this shift toward face-to-face communication

In 2024, social and technological trends have created a noticeable shift back toward face-to-face communication. “One significant factor is the overreliance on technology, with dating apps, social media, and platforms like Instagram becoming a major part of how people connect. However, these interactions often feel shallow, lacking genuine connection,” says Baruah.

While the shift toward face-to-face interactions over virtual ones is aspirational, it’s progressing slowly. (Source: Freepik)

At the same time, she notes that there’s been a “growing sense of isolation and loneliness across the globe.” Despite the illusion of being constantly connected online, many are realising that virtual interactions can’t replace the richness of in-person connections. 

Then there’s the lingering effect of the pandemic, Baruah adds, which forced people into isolation and made them reflect on what truly matters. “During lockdowns, many realised the value of simple, everyday joys like meeting friends, travelling, or even just being able to hug someone. That realisation has fueled a collective desire to reconnect in real, tangible ways.”

Specific demographics leading the charge toward real-life connections

“It’s difficult to provide a definitive answer to this question without more detailed research, but a noticeable trend is the growing struggle among younger people — particularly those in their teens and early twenties—with loneliness, dread, depression, and anxiety,” Baruah says

Baruah highlights that younger people, despite being highly connected online, face rising loneliness and anxiety. “This demographic needs face-to-face connection the most but often receives it the least,” she says, attributing this to reliance on smartphones and social media. She emphasises that in-person interactions are vital for developing empathy, emotional resilience, and a sense of belonging, which virtual connections can’t replicate. “This generation is recognising that surface-level online interactions can’t replace the richness of real-life experiences,” Baruah adds.

Could 2025 mark the return to real-life connections over virtual ones?

Baruah suggests that while the shift toward face-to-face interactions over virtual ones is aspirational, it’s progressing slowly. “The overreliance on technology has rewired our behaviours, making real-life connections feel slow or less rewarding,” she says, noting that public spaces often feature people together but glued to their phones. Those needing meaningful interaction, like individuals feeling lonely or disconnected, are often least likely to seek it.

She explains that years of digital-first communication have made face-to-face interactions daunting for many, requiring effort and support to rebuild confidence. By 2025, those actively pursuing real-life connections will see benefits like reduced isolation and stronger relationships, but for others entrenched in digital habits, the gap may grow. “The change requires systemic efforts — shifting societal norms, building community, and promoting mental health awareness,” Baruah concludes.