The Need to Belong theory (Baumeister & Leary, 1995) proposes that two things are needed to fulfill belongingness needs: 1) frequent interactions with others within 2) ongoing relational bonds. Unfulfilled belongingness needs are correlated with worse mental health and higher mortality rates associated with all forms of major illness.

One feature of modern life that has changed the way people connect with others is the Internet. Social networking and dating sites, instant blogging, discussion forums, videoconferencing (FaceTime/Zoom/Google Meets) and email have been around for many years. However, the weight given to electronic forms of communication increased dramatically with the onset of the global pandemic. Address the following two questions:1) In your opinion, can technology-mediated communication ever fully replace face-to-face interactions when it comes to fulfilling belongingness needs? 2) Do you believe that the Internet can - for some people -- provide belongingness in a way that face-to-face communication cannot? How or why?