Researchers found that people are less engaged and don't have the same positive emotional responses when they use technology, like video calls or texting, to connect with others, compared to when they meet in person.
The results were clear, said Brad Bushman, co-author of the study and professor of communication at The Ohio State University.
"If there is no other choice than computer-mediated communication, then it is certainly better than nothing," Bushman said. "But if there is a possibility of meeting in person, then using technology instead is a poor substitute."
The study was published online yesterday (Jan. 6, 2026) in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science.
Lead author Roy Baumeister, professor of psychology at the University of Queensland, said: "Electronic communication is here to stay, so we need to learn how to integrate it into our lives. But if it replaces live interactions, you're going to be missing some important benefits and probably be less fulfilled."
Research has shown the importance of social interactions for psychological and physical health. But the issue for computer-mediated communication is that it is "socializing alone," the researchers said. You are communicating with others, but you're by yourself when you do it. The question becomes, is that important?
To find out, the researchers did a narrative review of 1,158 studies uncovered in a database search of studies that compared "face-to-face" and "computer-mediated" communication.
The main finding from the studies reviewed was that impact and engagement are reduced when socializing alone, as compared to interacting in the physical presence of others.
Positive emotional responses were also reduced when communicating via smartphones, computers and tablets.
A good example of the superiority of in-person communication is laughter, Bushman said. "We found a lot of research that shows real health benefits to laughing out loud, but we couldn't find any health benefits to typing LOL in a text or social media post," he said.
Another key finding was that numerous studies showed that educational outcomes were superior in in-person classes compared to those done online. Some of these studies were conducted during the COVID pandemic, when teachers were forced to teach their students online.
As might be expected, video calls were better than texting for boosting positive emotions, the research showed. Being removed in both time and space makes texting and non-live communication less beneficial for those participating.
Results were mixed regarding negative emotions. Computer-mediated communication may reduce some forms of anxiety.
"Shy people in particular seem to feel better about interacting online, where they can type their thoughts into a chat box, and don't have to call as much attention to themselves," Baumeister said.
But there was also a dark side. Some people are more likely to express negative comments online than they would in person. Inhibitions against saying something harmful are reduced online, results showed.
In general, the research found that group dynamics, including learning, were not as effective online as they were in person.
Many studies reviewed found that solitary socializers do not process information as thoroughly as they do in face-to-face situations, which is consistent with them being less engaged. That may contribute to poorer learning and decision making in online groups.
Computer-mediated communication does best when people are highly motivated to be engaged and participate fully with each other, according to Bushman and Baumeister.
Engagement was often found to be high among those in online psychotherapy, among highly committed workers and among romantic partners.
"I was struck that studies showed patients thought video therapy worked as well or almost as well as in person when their engagement levels were high," Baumeister said. "There may even be a bit of benefit in that people seem less inhibited talking about their problems in video therapy."
The benefits of modern technology for communication in some situations are indisputable, according to Bushman. But this review shows that it does come with some costs.
"Humans were shaped by evolution to be highly social," Bushman said. "But many of the benefits of social interactions are lost or reduced when you interact with people who are not present with you."
The researchers noted that concerns about the impact of technology on human communication go way back. Almost a century ago, sociologists were concerned that the telephone would reduce people visiting in person with neighbors.
"There is a long history of unconfirmed predictions that various innovations will bring disaster, so one must be skeptical of alarmist projections," the authors wrote in the paper.
"Then again, the early returns are not encouraging."
Other co-authors on the paper were Michaela Bibby of Harvard University and Dianne Tice of Brigham Young University.
Research Report: Socializing While Alone: Loss of Impact and Engagement When Interacting Remotely via Technology
Related Links
Communication Studies at OSU
All About Human Beings and How We Got To Be Here
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