The art of Living is a book by Frank Tallis in which he provides an overview of the history of psychotherapy.
He explains the following: ‘Joining an online support group can be comforting but even the most sympathetic internet chat rooms cannot compete with the power of eye contact, a familiar voice, responsive body language and the warmth of a solicitous hand.’
The more we try to connect through tablets and smartphones, the more we are likely to experience the frustration of emotional needs, because the principal means by which human beings combat loneliness and maintain mental health is face-to-face communication.
A common defence of online interaction is that it provides a social outlet for those who find face-to-face communicating difficult; however, socialising online can easily become counter-productive. Anxious individuals rob themselves of opportunities to practice their social skills in ‘real-life’ situations – skills that could potentially facilitate the development of meaningful (and ultimately therapeutic) intimate relationships’.
The Power of Dialogue 