Gone are the days of having to leave your house to meet up with friends, go on a date, or attend a work meeting. Technology has had a massive impact on how we communicate and interact, and we don’t have to get dressed or leave our beds to chat with others or arrange plans. Distance is no longer a factor for communication, and neither are time zones. Using a phone and WiFi, you can connect with anyone, at any time. Technology has made us more accessible than ever before.
Instant Connection
The biggest impact that technology has on Torontonians is that people can now communicate instantly with each other. This trend has largely been driven by social media. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn have made it possible for us to share our opinions and what we’re doing, and also respond to others in real time. Direct messaging on these platforms is similar to other communication apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, allowing users to send instant messages. The recipient will then receive a notification and can respond in real time.
Messaging apps also allow for instant messaging, calls, and the sharing of photos and videos. This tech has allowed us to communicate with friends and family who live anywhere in Canada, as well as further abroad. Group chats are keeping distant friend groups connected and help with organising get-togethers. Video calls transcend country borders. And we can share what we’re getting up to in real time as status updates.
This instant connection has crossed industries. You can chat with healthcare professionals using dedicated apps, send an instant message to your bank to help with a query, and talk with customer service on iGaming platforms to help set up your account. Many legal gaming options in Canada have embraced live-chat features, giving players a way to connect with casino operators if they have concerns or questions.
Before this communication technology was created, we had to phone companies if we had queries, send documents via fax machines, book flights to see family, and schedule meet-up times to hang out with friends.
Video Calls
Face-to-face interactions are no longer required for work or socializing. Video conferencing has made it possible for Torontonians to have important meetings from home. This includes interviews, team check-ins, and discussions with clients. Video calls have made it possible to have work calls with people from various countries, without complex logistics. And if someone can’t attend the meeting, the call can be recorded, and AI tools can take transcription,s so no one misses anything.
Video calls have not just changed the way we work from home. It has also impacted connections with loved ones. In the recent past, when you missed someone, you had to send them an SMS or make a phone call. And although that was pleasant, it didn’t have that intimate feeling.
Now, through video calls, you can see the other person’s face. It’s not unusual for people to video call loved ones while out and about, sharing a glimpse of their day with them.
Global Interactions
Toronto is a global city, which means you will often cross paths and even befriend foreigners. But, in the past, if you ever wanted to see your friends again, you would have to schedule a flight at a time that suited both of you and hope that you wouldn’t tire of each other’s company.
Technology has made it possible to connect with anyone in the world. You can stay connected on social media, interact across time zones, and instantly find out what your foreign friends are up to through apps like Snapchat and Instagram Stories. You don’t have to wait for someone to come online either, like in the initial versions of AOL Instant Messenger; you can simply send a message when it best suits you, and they will see it when next they’re on their phone.
Online Dating
Technology has had a big impact on how we find love and navigate the world of dating. You no longer have to leave it up to fate. Dating apps mean that we can filter people based on our preferences, and chat online to suss out their vibe before meeting up in person.
A recent report predicted that 50% of all couples will meet through online dating by 2035. With a growing number of people working from home and socializing online, it is no surprise that it has become difficult to meet someone in person. People are also finding love on other digital platforms, like online gaming sites. It is not unusual for someone to have a partner in a game, like World of Warcraft, without ever meeting the person in real life.