Choosing Real Life Interactions Over Online In 2026 

The digital age has taken over, making real-life interaction few and far between. You can literally stay at home and get everything you need to survive done. From the likes of grocery shopping, ordering takeout, online shopping, dating, attending church, working, and the list goes on.

Some people like the convenience that online interactions provide. You have people who work from home in their pajamas, while others choose Zoom for church on Sundays. Everything is based upon preference and the ease that technology provides.

Her Agenda took a deep dive into how the digital age has impacted society in regard to social interactions.

Technology has been so put off and distracted that meeting at the local grocery store, shopping center, or restaurant is a thing of the past. People walk around with earphones in and disregard human life as they walk by. No one speaks to anyone anymore; we’ve become dependent on technology, and it’s a hindrance. 

According to Opinium, 80% of online daters think that cyber dating is more socially acceptable than it used to be, while almost two-thirds (63%) think that it is a good way to meet a partner.

As technology advances, the more we depend on it, which makes less of a need for human interaction. With the help of AI, pretty soon robots will be servers at restaurants and local retailers like Walmart and Target. These machines make life easier, yet dependency on technology makes it easier to fall short when technology fails us.

According to Medical News Today, while technology has many positive effects, there are some possible risks. Image-based social media platforms may influence body image, and increased use of electronic devices overall may cause eyestrain or reduced physical activity.

In children, screen time may affect behavior or cognitive (thinking) development. However, no studies have established that technology directly causes these effects, and research is ongoing.

According to Forbes, 2026 has more to offer than ever before. There will be, but not limited to, more smart cars, smart glasses 2.0, domestic robots and drones, from smart home to intelligent home, and wireless power. 

As the world becomes more digitally advanced, as consumers, we have to stay abreast of the technology, or inevitably get left behind. Ultimately, the online presence is beating in real-life interactions by a landslide.