Roy Baumeister<\/a>, professor of psychology at the University of Queensland, said: \u201cElectronic communication is here to stay, so we need to learn how to integrate it into our lives. But if it replaces live interactions, you\u2019re going to be missing some important benefits and probably be less fulfilled.\u201d<\/p>\nResearch has shown the importance of social interactions for psychological and physical health. But the issue for computer-mediated communication is that it is \u201csocializing alone,\u201d the researchers said.\u00a0 You are communicating with others, but you\u2019re by yourself when you do it. The question becomes, is that important?<\/p>\n
To find out, the researchers did a narrative review of 1,158 studies uncovered in a database search of studies that compared \u201cface-to-face\u201d and \u201ccomputer-mediated\u201d communication.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Positive emotional responses were also reduced when communicating via smartphones, computers and tablets.<\/p>\n
A good example of the superiority of in-person communication is laughter, Bushman said. \u201cWe found a lot of research that shows real health benefits to laughing out loud, but we couldn\u2019t find any health benefits to typing LOL in a text or social media post,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Another key finding was that numerous studies showed that educational outcomes were superior in in-person classes compared to those done online.\u00a0 Some of these studies were conducted during the COVID pandemic, when teachers were forced to teach their students online.<\/p>\n
![\"Roy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/500_roy-f-baumeister-932x1024.jpg\")
As might be expected, video calls were better than texting for boosting positive emotions, the research showed.\u00a0 Being removed in both time and space makes texting and non-live communication less beneficial for those participating.<\/p>\n
Results were mixed regarding negative emotions. Computer-mediated communication may reduce some forms of anxiety.<\/p>\n
\u201cShy people in particular seem to feel better about interacting online, where they can type their thoughts into a chat box, and don\u2019t have to call as much attention to themselves,\u201d Baumeister said.<\/p>\n
But there was also a dark side.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
In general, the research found that group dynamics, including learning, were not as effective online as they were in person.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Computer-mediated communication does best when people are highly motivated to be engaged and participate fully with each other, according to Bushman and Baumeister.<\/p>\n
Engagement was often found to be high among those in online psychotherapy, among highly committed workers and among romantic partners.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d Baumeister said. \u201cThere may even be a bit of benefit in that people seem less inhibited talking about their problems in video therapy.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHumans were shaped by evolution to be highly social,\u201d Bushman said. \u201cBut many of the benefits of social interactions are lost or reduced when you interact with people who are not present with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The researchers noted that concerns about the impact of technology on human communication go way back.\u00a0 Almost a century ago, sociologists were concerned that the telephone would reduce people visiting in person with neighbors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a long history of unconfirmed predictions that various innovations will bring disaster, so one must be skeptical of alarmist projections,\u201d the authors wrote in the paper.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen again, the early returns are not encouraging.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other co-authors on the paper were Michaela Bibby of Harvard University and Dianne Tice of Brigham Young University.<\/p>\n
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![\"Brad](\"https:\/\/content.presspage.com\/uploads\/2170\/500_brad_bushman.jpg?x=1766940531246\")
\u201cIf there is no other choice than computer-mediated communication, then it is certainly better than nothing,\u201d Bushman said. \u201cBut if there is a possibility of meeting in person, then using technology instead is a poor substitute.\u201d<\/p>\n