Når hverdagen online udfordrer fysisk nærvær

This article explores the impact of online social life on young people’s well-being and physical closeness. It examines how the shift to online interactions affects trust, vulnerability, responsibility, and care in the lives of young people. We discuss, how young people’s high screen time influences their psychological and social functions, noting the complex relationship between online activities and well-being. Danish youth have high screen usage compared to peers in similar countries, yet no definitive link between screen time and well-being has been established. Studies suggest that online activities might contribute to the increasing number of young people experiencing serious distress. Still, the use of social media has both positive and negative effects on young people’s socialization, providing a means to maintain contact but also causing stress and loneliness. This article highlights the concept of “displacement of face-to-face socializing” where online interactions replace traditional in-person relationships, potentially diminishing young people’s connection to family and close friends. This shift can affect their development and social and psychological support systems, leading to a weakened sense of closeness and trust. The philosophical perspectives of Emmanuel Levinas and K.E. Løgstrup are employed to understand these dynamics. Levinas emphasises the unique ethical responsibility that arises in face-to-face encounters, while Løgstrup highlights the fundamental trust inherent in human interactions, which is crucial for forming ethical relationships. Online interactions, lacking the physical presence and immediate connection of in-person encounters, may reduce young people’s ability to experience and develop trust and responsibility. This shift has implications for their social development and ability to seek help from close relationships. This article concludes that while online platforms offer some support, they cannot replace the essential experiences of trust and closeness coming from physical interactions.