Student Life | Issue 41

TECH
CO-EDITOR VACANCY
Has technology helped or
made lockdown harder?
BY RACHEL MITCHELL
Cue February 2021, and nearly a
year on since this global pandemic
hit the UK; forcing us to reside in
our homes, meeting only with our
household or support bubbles and
bringing challenge after challenge as
we all adapt to this new day to day.
Emerging from the first lockdown,
was a new found appreciation for
technology, in particular the ability
to video call on mass to family and
friends all over the place. The likes
of Zoom and Google Hangout came
into their own, providing a space
for individuals to safely meet, play
virtual games and gain comfort from
seeing the faces of the ones they
love. For many, this has been the
only form of communication for a
year (or longer!).
The benefits of this has meant
that it seems more acceptable and
easier to arrange a call to check in
with eachother on a weekly or even
daily basis. We’re all longing for a
connection with someone, for that
element of normality and a call is
sometimes enough to make us feel
loved and thought of.
We should not forget at this point
either, that there is a generation, as
well as others with no access to such
technology and may only have the
ability to make a normal phonecall
as opposed to a video one- for these
people, this may be the only form
of contact and as such becomes
a crucial lifeline in their sense of
wellbeing.
60 • 60 MARCH • TECH 2019 • STUDENT • STUDENT LIFE LIFE