40% say using tech in new ways during pandemic
40% of the people interviewed say they have used technology in new ways during the pandemic with video calls dominating, 40% of the respondents report fatigue from the calls and a quarter say they feel less close to family members now than before the covid outbreak despite trying to use technology to stay in touch, according to a US survey by the Pew Research Centre.
During the pandemic 81% have used video calls but 40% of them say they often or sometimes feel worn out of fatigue from spending time on these video calls. 33% say they have been trying to cut back on time spent the internet or on smartphones during the pandemic. 26% have worried about higher home costs for high-speed internet connection.
90% say the internet has been essential or important for them personally during the pandemic and 81% have used video calls.
40% say they used technology or the internet in ways that were new or different to them. Some also sought upgrades to their service as the pandemic unfolded: 29% of broadband users did something to improve the speed, reliability or quality of their high-speed internet connection at home since the beginning of the outbreak.
”For many, digital interactions could only do so much as a stand-in for in-person communication. About two-thirds of Americans (68%) say the interactions they would have had in person, but instead had online or over the phone, have generally been useful – but not a replacement for in-person contact. Another 15% say these tools haven’t been of much use in their interactions. Still, 17% report that these digital interactions have been just as good as in-person contact.”
44% says text messages or group messaging apps have helped a lot for keeping contact with friends and family, 38% say voice calls, 30% video calls, 20 social media and 19% emails.
Even as tech helped some to stay connected, a quarter say they feel less close to close family members now compared with before the pandemic, and about four-in-ten (38%) say the same about friends they know well. Roughly half (53%) say this about casual acquaintances.
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