Does technology help or hurt our relationships? Here's what to know

In 2018, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported about 27 million mobile phone subscriptions in Australia, nearly matching our population of 27.3 million in September 2024. In 2022, 84% of internet users accessed the web multiple times a day on their mobile phones, according to Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). In 2020, ACMA also found that 77% of Australian adults used a communication app in the last 6 months. In the data highlighted by the 2025 Healthylife Living Healthy Report (LHR), 94.9% of Australians use the internet. It's clear that almost all of us are online, anytime and anywhere.

In just a few hundred years, we've evolved from using signal fires, letters, and even carrier pigeons to being instantly connected. But while we’re digitally connected, are we meaningfully connected as human beings? This question matters, because 33% of people reported nurturing relationships with friends, family and community as a health priority in the 2025 LHR.

How technology has changed society

Not too long ago, video stores dotted most suburbs. Then, videotapes were replaced by discs. Soon after, the internet sped up, enabling streaming. Video stores became obsolete almost overnight. Today, entertainment is at our fingertips. Whether we're flying across the ocean or just relaxing at home, we can easily tune into our favourite shows. Food is delivered to our doorstep after a few clicks. When we’re sick, we can see a doctor online within minutes. There are a myriad of ways to keep in touch with friends and family, including messages, social media, or video calls.

Moving forward, all of our devices are becoming more connected, even the car and the fridge. Connectivity is in nearly every part of our life.

Undoubtedly, technology has transformed society in a short period. It’s given us the gift of time and convenience, but what has it done for our social connections? With the 2025 LHR highlighting that Australian users spend an average of 1.51 hours on social media daily, it is unclear how much face-to-face time we are sacrificing for time with the screen.

Does it help or hurt our relationships?

A 2014 publication by Stanford University by two authors, Parigi and State, suggested that “technology increases the ease with which we form friendships around common cultural interests and, at the same time, diminishes the bonding power of these experiences.” This conclusion came from analysing about two million social connections from a couch surfing app. So, while we can connect with people quicker, the quality of those connections may be lower.

Studies have also shown that inappropriate use of technology can have a negative effect on adolescent mental health and child-parent relationships. Research quoted in the 2025 LHR, for example, shows that for every additional minute of screen time, usually parents on phones, children heard fewer adult words, spoke fewer vocalisations, and engaged in fewer back-and-forth interactions. There have also been a number of studies on effective technology on romantic relationships, one of which reported that participants felt that technology led to “a decline in face-to-face communication in adolescent romantic relationships”.

That said, technology has its benefits, like keeping in touch with relatives who are in long-term care facilities, strengthening bonds. It also allows us to keep in touch with loved ones no matter how far apart you are.,   As global travel is more common and the world feels more connected, technology allows us to bridge gaps of geography, ethnicity, and language, helping us stay close even when we're physically far away. 

The 2025 LHR highlighted research that showed people feeling more socially connected using digital tools, especially among adolescents looking for peers online. For people aged over fifty, research noted that social media improved communication with loved ones, even creating new communities. It decreased depressive symptoms and increased wellbeing. Still, people who used social media to escape physical interactions or maintain relationships, reported more loneliness. 

So, where do we go from here?

As with many things, there is not a black-and-white answer. It's about balance. Technology allows us to connect, keep in touch, and bridge gaps that previously kept humanity apart. But, the overuse of it can cause enough distraction to take us away from the real moments that we have with each other.

As technology evolves, we will see more scientific evidence about its social impact. For now, just like diet and exercise, the balanced use of technology is important for wellness through connection.

Humans benefit from increased social connection

In 2023, the United States Surgeon General declared a loneliness and social isolation epidemic affecting up to 40% of the country’s adults. In a world more connected than ever, loneliness and social isolation is pervasive. 

Social connection is critical for good health, survival, and emotional wellbeing. It has been associated with a long life, stemming from a number of health benefits. This has been explored in large studies, like an analysis of 1,187 studies between 1994 and 2021 with more than 1.4 million participants, suggesting the positive the link between social support and reduced disease and mortality.

As social beings, we thrive on healthy connections with others. While digital connections can play a role in strengthening these bonds, they may not always be the best option. Even with technology like video calls, some experts argue that important subtle cues, crucial for intimate communication, are often lost. In some cases, nothing can truly replace in-person interaction.

The bottom line

It’s impossible to escape the effect that technology has on our world, but we still have control over how we use it to connect with others. Used mindfully, technology can be used to enhance the connection with our loved ones. But, used without consideration, it can contribute to feelings of loneliness and isolation. By finding the right balance, we can not only improve social connections, but the numerous benefits that technology brings to our lives.

Reviewed by the Healthylife Advisory Board April 2025.