Nearly half of Brazilians surveyed say they prefer socializing with friends online rather than in person, according to Ipsos’s Global Trends 2024. The respondents were more urban, highly educated and higher-income than the population overall. The shift is not limited to Brazil: in the United States, time spent with friends at homes and parks has fallen by nearly half since 2013, to an average of 1.5 hours a week, while gym visits and solo activities have increased.
In her column, Deborah Bizarria points to the cost of going out and the ease of screen-based entertainment as factors that can discourage face-to-face plans. Hosting friends takes coordination and preparation, while watching videos or streaming requires little effort and makes it easy to switch to something else.
Research cited in the column suggests that the initial discomfort of social interaction can be outweighed by its benefits. In one experiment, train passengers asked to talk to strangers said they had more pleasant journeys than those asked to remain alone. Another study found that people who stayed off Facebook for four weeks spent more time with friends and family, but also watched more television alone. Reducing social media use, Bizarria argues, does not by itself ensure more social contact: meeting depends on other people’s availability and willingness to participate.
The challenge is also one of coordination. Organizing a football game means booking a court, collecting money and finding replacements. If people confirm at the last minute to keep their options open, the game may be cancelled. Repeated difficulties can discourage organizers and make future plans harder to arrange.
Bizarria argues that people often want the benefits of community without taking on the commitments that sustain it. Shared ties make it possible to organize activities, offer help and divide responsibilities. She connects this idea to political scientist Robert Putnam’s argument in “Bowling Alone” about the decline of community life.
The column also distinguishes public political statements from everyday participation. Helping at a church fundraising bazaar, taking part in a professional council or joining a neighborhood association requires time, travel and shared work. Running groups, book clubs and dance classes can likewise bring the same people together regularly and create opportunities for friendships to grow.
Bizarria says she makes room in her own schedule for both time at home and recurring social activities, such as coffee, birthdays and church events. Keeping those plans flexible, she writes, helps balance rest with time spent with others rather than letting the convenience of staying home determine how much space they have in her life.
Sources: Folha Mercado.