Remote work is making us more antisocial.

The rise of remote work has reshaped how people interact, collaborate, and experience social connection in daily life. While working from home is not new, it became a widespread norm during the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerating a shift that had been growing with the expansion of digital technology and globalized workforces. Tools like Zoom, Slack, and cloud-based platforms allow teams to function efficiently across time zones—yet they also remove spontaneous, face-to-face interactions that traditional offices provide. Historically, the workplace has served not only as a site of productivity but as a key space for social bonding, mentorship, and collective identity. With remote work, casual conversations, body language cues, and unplanned encounters have been replaced by scheduled calls and digital messages. This shift has led to increased flexibility and autonomy but also sparked concerns about isolation, weakened team dynamics, and declining interpersonal skills. Studies in recent years suggest that while some individuals thrive in remote environments, others report higher levels of loneliness and disconnection. Understanding this topic involves exploring how social behavior is shaped by environments, how work structures influence mental health, and how emerging work cultures are redefining what it means to be connected in both professional and personal spheres.