Why Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Doesn’t Vouch for Social Media Connectedness: A Take on Real-Life Interactions
In today’s world, social media has become an integral part of our lives, influencing how we connect, communicate, and share our experiences with others.
However, not everyone embraces this constant need for virtual connection, including Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. In her insightful remarks, Aishwarya explains why she doesn’t fully endorse the hyper-connected world of social media, offering her perspective on why real, face-to-face communication holds more value.
The Rise of Social Media: A Shift in Communication
Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter have transformed how people interact. With just a click, users can post pictures, updates, and stories, sharing everything from meals to life events. While this connectivity is celebrated, it has also led to a shift in how people engage with one another. Instead of savoring the moment, many are focused on documenting it for the virtual world.
Aishwarya points out the irony in this behavior: “You don’t have to photograph an empty plate after eating.” For her, this simple statement reflects how social media has shifted priorities. Instead of focusing on enjoying the meal and the company, many are preoccupied with capturing and posting it for validation from an online audience.
The Pressure of Constant Updates
In her candid remarks, Aishwarya further criticizes the pressure many feel to constantly update their lives on social media. She observes that there is an unspoken expectation to showcase how “perfect” life is. From posting photos of dinner to writing about last night’s event, people feel compelled to constantly share, as if this makes their experiences more meaningful or worthy.
“People keep updating—’Oh, such a lovely meal last night,’ and so on,” Aishwarya explains, alluding to the unnecessary need for constant online presence. She acknowledges that while social media can help people stay connected to the world, it often comes at the cost of disconnecting from the people right in front of us.
The Cost of Virtual Connection: Disconnection in Real Life
One of the key points Aishwarya highlights is the paradox of social media. While it is designed to connect people, it often ends up doing the opposite. She points out how, despite being at the same table, people are glued to their phones, scrolling through different social platforms rather than engaging in meaningful conversations with the people physically present.
“It’s great to stay connected to the world, but not at the cost of sitting opposite someone and not connecting with them,” Aishwarya says. This statement reflects a growing concern about how social media diminishes the quality of real-life interactions. In a world where everyone is busy updating their social status, the art of face-to-face communication is slowly fading away.
The Social Media “Bubble”
Aishwarya also mentions the increasing visibility of this phenomenon through videos circulating online. In these clips, people are shown sitting together, yet all are absorbed in their devices. She notes that this has become a common sight, no longer even a joke, but a reality that many people now live in.
“You’re at the table, and everyone is on their devices,” she observes. It’s a scenario that has become all too familiar, where instead of engaging with one another, people are more interested in checking their notifications, liking posts, or sharing updates. This “bubble” of virtual communication, as Aishwarya sees it, is a barrier to genuine interaction.
The Absurdity of Group Chats and Multitasking
Another point Aishwarya raises is the irony of group chats and social media conversations. She questions why people feel the need to communicate through various platforms with the same group of friends, even when they are physically together.
“You’ll be chatting here, chatting there, and on group chats—and I’m like, it’s the same group of people! Why do you need to do this across all these little doors?” she says. Aishwarya’s remark highlights the absurdity of this multitasking, where people are engaging in multiple conversations across different platforms, often with the same individuals. This behavior, according to her, takes away from the quality of real-life communication and fosters a sense of superficial connection.
The Importance of Being Present
“You’re right in front of each other—communicate! Eye contact,” she insists. This call for presence and genuine interaction serves as a reminder of how important it is to maintain real-life relationships, especially in a world that is increasingly dominated by digital communication.
Balancing Social Media and Real-Life Interactions
While Aishwarya does not dismiss the benefits of social media, she advocates for a balanced approach. Social media can be a powerful tool for staying connected with the world, but it should not replace real, meaningful interactions. She suggests that people be mindful of how much time they spend on their devices, especially when they are in the company of others.
“Stay connected, but not at the cost of real relationships,” Aishwarya says. Her message is clear: while it’s fine to use social media, it should not come at the expense of personal connections.
A Call for Meaningful Communication
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s views on social media reflect a growing concern about how digital connectivity is affecting real-life relationships. Her call for more meaningful communication resonates with many who feel that social media has, in many ways, replaced genuine interactions. By sharing her thoughts, Aishwarya encourages others to reflect on their own use of social media and to prioritize being present with the people around them.
In a world that often values virtual connections over personal ones, Aishwarya’s message serves as a timely reminder of the importance of real-life relationships. Whether it’s sitting down for a meal without the distraction of phones or engaging in face-to-face conversations, Aishwarya’s advice is simple but powerful: connect with the people right in front of you.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on social media (Source: Lyca Productions/X)
Why Aishwarya Rai Bachchan doesn’t vouch for social media connectedness: ‘Don’t have to photograph empty plate after eating’
“You’ll be on this chat, that chat and that group chat, and Instagram and Snapchat. And I’m like, isn’t it the same group of people. Why do you need to do it on all? Just exhale and connect,” Aishwarya Rai Bachchan said
Trust former Miss World and actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan always to speak her mind. So when the Ponniyin Selvan actor was asked about her take on the constant need to stay connected on social media, she said: “It’s not necessary. You don’t have to photograph your empty plate after eating. You don’t have to get into ‘Oh, what a lovely meal last night,’ and so forth,” she said.
In a conversation with Zoom, the 50-year-old added, “Updating to be so cool that ‘I’m so together and I’m connected.’ It’s wonderful to stay connected with the world but not the cost of the person sitting across from you and not connecting to you. That’s happened. Now, people talk about it more and more. Now, videos are going around where people are sitting at a table, and everyone is on their phones. That’s a reality. It’s not even a joke. That’s offensive. You’ll be on this chat, that chat, and that group chat, as well as on Instagram and Snapchat. And I’m like, isn’t it the same group of people? Why do you need to do it on all? Just exhale and connect. You are in front of each other’s faces. Communicate. Eye contact.”
Given the actor‘s comments, we decided to understand how being connected 24×7 is a reality in today’s world and how one can take a break and unwind.
Dr Deepak Raheja, senior psychiatrist and Director of Hope Care India, said that with smartphones and social media, most experience constant connectivity, which leads to information overload and often translates into sleep disturbances and a lack of downtime. “Notifications, endless scrolling, and the need for validation can disrupt concentration and sleep patterns, leading to decreased productivity and burnout,” said Dr Samant Darshi, consultant psychiatrist, Psymate Noida.
Innovative suggestions to address this include promoting digital detox programs, encouraging regular breaks from screens to reduce stress, and using mindfulness and meditation apps to manage anxiety and promote relaxation, added Dr Raheja.
You need to draw a line (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)Eye contact is more than just a polite gesture, according to Arouba Kabir, emotional and mental health professional, and founder, Enso Wellness. “It’s a way to build a pathway to how we communicate, build relationships, and boost our confidence. People feel the respect and your mindfulness such that it tells the other person that they matter and that you’re fully present in the conversation,” said Arouba, adding that eye contact is a significant player in the game of communication.
If you are still unsure, here’s a guide by clinical psychologist Kamna Chhibber.
– Take a step back and evaluate where the feeling of constant social connectivity may be emerging from
– Attempt to build connections with people around you in the real world
– Disengage from spending time on social media by changing passwords or deactivating accounts
– Look at connecting with yourself by reflecting on and working towards building goals for your personal and professional self. Build on your hobbies and explore areas of interest
– Avoid comparing yourself to others and their lives and instead focus on what holds meaning and value for you
