Technology allows us to contact people anywhere in the world instantly, but opinions differ on whether this has made us closer or more isolated. In my view, it has done both, and the outcome depends on how people use it.
Those who believe technology unites people have good arguments. Video calls and messaging apps allow families separated by migration to see and talk to each other daily, which was impossible a few decades ago. Online platforms also let people with a shared interest, whether in a rare illness, a hobby or a language, form global communities and support one another. Information is shared immediately, so people in different countries can follow the same events and learn about each other's lives.
On the other hand, critics argue that technology has reduced real contact. Many people spend their free time looking at screens instead of speaking face to face, and friends sitting together at a table may be busy with their own phones. Online relationships can be shallow, based on likes and short comments rather than real understanding, and some users feel lonelier despite having hundreds of contacts. People may even know more about celebrities abroad than about the neighbours who live next door, which weakens local communities.
I believe that technology is a tool, and its effect depends on the user. If people use video calls to keep in touch with distant relatives and then also make time to meet friends and neighbours in person, they gain the benefits of both. Problems arise when digital contact replaces personal contact entirely.
In conclusion, technology has brought the world closer in terms of communication, yet it can isolate people who rely on it too much, so balance is essential.