Social distancing has become a new norm due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention, officials have urged all the citizens to keep a distance of six feet from each other to reduce the risk of coronavirus. This is because infected individuals can transfer the virus into healthy people within seconds, social distancing at the workplace or public places has become indispensable.
The world as we know it is changing rapidly due to social distancing. Recently, we have observed that shopping malls, offices, and buildings are never going to be the same with new social distancing rules. With new rules and standard operating procedures to safeguard people’s health, technology has also played a crucial part in improving the social distancing experience.
Due to growing lockdowns and COVID-19 cases, society’s dependency on technology and the Internet is increasing. As more and more US institutions are shutting their doors to comply with social distancing rules, it’s making more and more people rely on technology to stay connected.
Since millions of individuals are forced into isolation every day, the World Wide Web and digital technology open a new window for them to look into the outside world. People are attending online social events and engaging with friends over social media. The new normal reminds us how much we have to rely on technology to survive and thrive amidst the pandemic.
Technology has a Huge Impact on Social Distancing
The world can use technology in myriad ways during the pandemic and social distancing. One example is that it can help to improve social distancing in buildings.
Engineers and employers can use software and apps to streamline their teams’ behaviors. Proximity apps and software are also used by companies to show how people are interacting with each other while complying with social distancing rules.
Technology is also helping architects to design new buildings from a future perspective. For example, to ensure social distancing in buildings, technology is used to create spatial awareness in new and existing buildings. Personal distancing systems (PDS) are also being used in the United States that generate a proximity warning to help people keep a distance.
Moreover, these apps and gadgets can be tied to workers’ belts working at construction sites. Technology also supports social distancing with wristbands and smartwatches. Such devices produce an alarm or vibrate when people don’t keep an appropriate distance.
Technology can also be useful at shops, warehouses, and logistics sites. It allows people to work in a highly digital environment to focus on the work targets and let the digital software handle the social distancing measures.
The entrepreneur states that technology has also changed the future of building management. Software tools can help people understand how they can optimize the available space efficiently. Technology is also assisting building management and environmental sustainability. The innovation of smart sensors for buildings helps engineers to detect the number of individuals in space. That limits too many people to gather in one place.
Social Distancing and the Growing Role of Social Media
Social distancing is also elevating the role of social media in our lives. Massive attention is turning to social media platforms and networking sites to keep people informed and engaged with others. People have always used social media for entertainment in the past; however, amidst the global pandemic, with changing routines, everyone is relying on social media unprecedentedly.
For example, according to Forbes, the next era of digital marketing is here with social media marketing taking over traditional marketing amidst the pandemic. Organizations and small businesses are posting innovative content on social media at a dizzying pace to attract customers. More content on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube is also helping communities to reach out to new clients.
Instagram Live is also changing the way businesses communicate in the current era. For instance, as a business owner, you must have noticed a spike in Instagram Live notifications. If you are relying on Instagram or Twitter for your business promotion, you are not alone. As companies are working from home, there are more people on Instagram than ever to reach out to their followers.
Similarly, Facebook live meetings and streams are also gaining popularity. It is quickly becoming a platform of choice to gain more likes and rankings. A great thing live streaming offers is no barrier to entry; anyone can create a Facebook account and go live without wasting time.
The platform provides options for multiple users to actively engage in conversations and join hands to boost their profits. Therefore, social media is also helping several communities to come together and enhance their followings.
Another honorable mention is TikTok. With a growing user base of Gen-Z, TikTok content has increased significantly in recent months.
With parents, siblings, and grandparents all involving in this endeavor, video challenges are becoming popular with many people involved in dancing and singing. What better way to entertain yourself than TikTok when you are bored due to social distancing?
The global pandemic and social distancing rules have increased the role and effectiveness of technology in the lives of the masses. Another popular technology that is becoming important in this era of digitization is video-communication apps.
These apps have become important for both individuals and businesses. Facebook live, Skype, WhatsApp, and Viber offer innovative ways to stay in touch with your loved ones. Ever since the social isolation started in 2020, entrepreneurs are eager to maintain their connections with stakeholders using communication apps.
For example, in 2020, Zoom had more than two million downloads. The utilization of the app has increased significantly to assist people with communication.
Finally, the rise of smartphone monitoring apps such as Xnspy has surged significantly due to this new normal. With more managers, entrepreneurs, and leaders concerned about the progress of their organizations, employee monitoring software has become a necessity in global firms. For instance, managers have more control over employees’ social media activities with Xnspy allowing them access to social media chats, calls, and multimedia. Workplaces are thriving as a result of improved employee monitoring with Xnspy.