Whether it be long-distance friendships, relationships, to break ups, we have all had these emotionally challenging and tough conversations over the internet very often. Whether call it a harsh reality, or the accessibility to advanced technology, it seems to be dominating our future and hence, being a channel of communication for every type of relationship. But it is any different from real conversations about the same? Is it making a significant difference in experiencing emotions and how your connection is? How do online relationships and virtual interactions affect emotional connections?
Imagine Raj and Simran met by swiping right on Bumble. They lived in different cities and used to talk to each other usually on texts, and rarely on calls due to Simran’s strict father, Baldev Singh. Now, this is a better option for Simran since it avoids the entire confrontation with her father finding out, the distance between them makes them feel more excited and also safer.
This constant communication strengthens their bond, making them feel emotionally close even though they’ve never met in person. But then comes the downsides, there is no physical interaction, no facial expressions or tone of voice to guide her, and they see only the parts of each other’s lives, small differences in behaviour or personality might feel jarring, affecting the emotional connection they’ve built. Would be a whole different movie wouldn’t it?
What About Emotional Connection?
This can be understood in 2 ways- the influence could be either positive or negative.
Positive Impacts Include:
- The anonymity of online interactions can encourage people to open up more quickly and share thoughts and feelings they might hesitate to express in face-to-face settings. This can lead to deep emotional connections. There were moments when Simran used to be shy to share things, which can be avoided when using a social media platform due to anonymity and privacy.
- For those who might feel isolated or marginalized, online communities offer a sense of belonging and support. These relationships can provide significant emotional comfort and validation. Simran could have enrolled in communities to seek help regarding her father and the situation at hand.
- Online platforms allow people to connect across geographical and cultural boundaries. For example, the distance between Simran and Raj could have become smaller, even more connected and constantly interactive.
- Instant messaging, video calls, and social media updates keep people connected regularly. If anything had happened (her fights with Baldev Singh, for instance), would have led to instantly informing Raj.
Meanwhile, Negative Impacts Could Include:
- The point of superficial connections; people may present idealized versions of themselves, leading to misaligned expectations and emotional dissonance when these don’t match reality.
- Some individuals may become overly reliant on online relationships, potentially neglecting real-life connections. Hence, feelings of isolation or dissatisfaction is common when virtual interactions don’t meet emotional needs.
- The constant availability and expectations to respond quickly can lead to emotional exhaustion.
- Lack the richness of in-person communication, such as body language and tone of voice.
But is it this bad?
It’s critical to recognise that all relationships, regardless of how successful or unsuccessful, are difficult and require a great deal of effort and time. Setting virtual boundaries is important, but making use of virtual reality is advantageous. Think about the film “Love Aaj Kal.” The simplicity of virtual communication allows Jai and Meera to stay in touch despite their distances, but it also promotes a carefree attitude towards love and a reduction in the intensity of feelings and expressions of emotion.
The movie compares this to the previous love story, which is founded on patience and in-person encounters, and indicates that although internet interactions might keep people linked, they might not have the depth and passion of traditional relationships. Consequently, considering the difference, it is equally important to maintain the relationship beyond the virtual boundaries. Virtual connections are safe as long as they are utilised appropriately, considering the consequences of every decision.
Online interactions and virtual exchanges have altered how emotional ties are formed and maintained. These platforms offer accessibility, ease of use, and a sense of security, particularly in situations like Simran and Raj’s, but they also present some challenges. Since there is no physical presence, no nonverbal cues, and there’s a chance of misrepresentation, emotional relationships can feel superficial or leave expectations unmet.
On the other hand, connections that arise online have the capacity to forge strong bonds because they promote transparency, frequent communication, and the elimination of geographical obstacles. However, this must be handled carefully because relying too much on virtual contacts can cause emotional exhaustion and a detachment from real-world interpersonal ties.
Achieving a balance between the advantages of technology and the invaluable depth of face-to-face communication is crucial for any kind of engagement, whether it be online or offline. Bollywood’s exploration of these themes, as seen in “Love Aaj Kal,” shows that while relationships may be maintained through online communication, in-person interactions are the best way to cultivate emotions that are profound and intense. In the end, online interactions are neither beneficial nor detrimental; rather, how they are managed—considering both their benefits and drawbacks—will decide how they impact emotional bonds.
References +
Agnew, C. R. (2022). Feeling close to a Crab-Thing in virtual reality: Does avatar appearance always matter in forming meaningful connections? A case study. Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2022.889247
Freeman, G., & Acena, D. (2021). Hugging from A Distance: Building Interpersonal Relationships in Social Virtual Reality. ACM International Conference on Interactive Media Experiences. https://doi.org/10.1145/3452918.3458805
Hafid Kholidi Hadi, Mohammad Isa Irawan, & Reny Nadlifatin. (2024). The Relationship of Virtual Reality and Interpersonal Communication: Bibliometric Overview. Procedia Computer Science, 234, 1244–1252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2024.03.121
Jenny. (2023, November 17). Could the rise of VR dating platforms remedy the woes of finding love today? – Opinium. Opinium. https://www.opinium.com/could-the-rise-of-vr-dating-platforms-remedy-the-woes-of-finding-love-today/
