In a bid to find a deeper sense of connection amid a world devoid of touch, people have turned to social media. But not all spaces enable connection in the same way. Banking on the intimate nature of voice connections, Twitter is beta-testing Spaces – an audio-based chat room feature.

As the pandemic continues to heighten hygiene awareness, it’s having an effect on our everyday interactions. A survey has shown that people are open to voice tech as an alternative to touch experiences in public settings, creating room for brands to explore new innovations.

Whether to stay connected, informed, or distracted, social media plays multiple roles in people’s day-to-day lives – and it’s proving especially useful during the COVID-19 crisis. Canvas8 polled 1,000 Americans and spoke to nine people to find out what they want from these platforms and why.

The pandemic has shown that many people experience extreme loneliness despite having access to online support networks and virtual events. Canvas8 spoke to Dr. Luke Fernandez and Dr. Susan Matt to understand emotional and social fulfillment, and what it means in the digital age.