Isolation takes its toll on the human psyche. Many people have been living with social distancing for months on end, and they may feel lonely or touch-starved. It’s hard not to see your friends or go to events or even eat at a restaurant. With so many people spending their time indoors, technology has begun rapidly evolving new “virtual spaces” for social hangouts.
In virtual worlds, people create player characters who interact with an online three-dimensional space, where they can see and talk to their friends in real-time. Some people have even used these worlds to stage ceremonies like birthday parties and graduations.
Virtual weddings and celebrations aren’t the only ways that people are connecting. Some people have come up with very creative ways to have fun and stretch their creative limits.
Aside from three-dimensional gaming worlds, people may have slightly less interactive experiences by doing video conference calls. These allow you to see and talk to your friends, and they also let you have relatively normal meetings at work. They can be an excellent option when you’re missing your friend’s face or voice.
Content streaming platforms have also pushed out new technology to promote togetherness. Many of the largest platforms, including Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime have released their own tech. The programs allow people to watch a television show or movie together in real-time, with a chat on the side of the screen that they can use for running commentary.
“Watch Parties” were common even prior to COVID. Twitter Watch Parties involved informal gatherings of Twitter users. These may have been where companies initially got the idea to develop their official content sharing options.
Virtual tours have been cropping up on the internet, and they’re growing increasingly popular. Some local libraries have virtual tours available in which you can “visit” the building, but the library offerings involve more than just a guided tour. Many libraries offer virtual services, including community resources, streaming content, online get-togethers, and massive libraries of digital books.
With all the time spent indoors, many people have also taken the time to begin learning new skills. Many educational companies are offering some or all of their courses for free.
