Anny Osabutey: Social media is eroding our real-life human connections
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday (13 June), he shared a personal story from Germany that underscored a global concern: we are becoming increasingly detached from the people around us due to our digital lives
Journalist Anny Osabutey says while social media offers undeniable benefits, it is quietly dismantling human relationships and social cohesion.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday (13 June), he shared a personal story from Germany that underscored a global concern: we are becoming increasingly detached from the people around us due to our digital lives.
“I was at a park in Germany speaking with a 16-year-old boy,” Anny recounted. “He was frustrated that his peers wouldn’t engage in real-world play because everyone was on their phones. Even their parents, he said, were often too busy on mobile devices to respond to emergencies.”
Anny said the conversation made him reflect on his own habits. “When I got home, I asked myself—am I also guilty of this? Do I prioritise my phone over real-life moments?”
According to him, the impact of social media has tipped the balance away from meaningful in-person interactions. “Friends gather, but everyone’s on their phones talking to someone far away. We’ve allowed the distraction to dominate,” he said.
He acknowledged the positives—such as entrepreneurs who build businesses entirely on social platforms—but cautioned that society needs to “strike a balance.”
“Social media is helping people find jobs and stay in touch, but it’s also weakening our sense of community. We’re present, but not really there,” Anny stressed.
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