The world is becoming increasingly interconnected through the help of technology which has affected the way that many of us celebrate the various festive seasons. Through various technologies and applications within the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) industry, friends and families can enjoy virtual holiday gatherings regardless of their geographical location.
This article will explore the role that ICT tools and applications play in facilitating virtual festive gatherings.
The Shift to Virtual Gatherings
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic the norm of festive gatherings quickly shifted from in-person to virtual as friends and families found themselves unable to travel at all or as freely as they did in previous years. This sparked a world-wide cry for innovative solutions as people were desperate to connect with their friends and families, especially during festive seasons. The ICT industry quickly met this world-wide need and developed or upgraded existing virtual solutions that gave users the ability to connect with their friends and family regardless of their physical location.
Virtual Communication Tools and Applications:
Video Conferencing (VC)
Arguably one of the most remarkable advancements in the ICT industry is video conferencing technology. These technologies such as; Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet and so on have changed the way that friends and families interact. These VC tools give its users the ability to have face-to-face conversations where facial expressions and body language can be shared and taken into account during conversations.
Social Media
Social media platforms like; Facebook, Instagram and so on also play a vital role in keeping friends and families connected during the festive seasons. Users of these platforms can share photos, videos and daily updates in real-time making viewers feel a sense of closeness even while being physically apart.
Instant Messaging (IM) Applications
Instant messaging apps like; WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram and so on have become essential tools for communication and coordinating during festive gatherings. Whether it be used to create group chats, coordinate plans, share VC links or to share videos and photos, friends and families are able to connect with one another whether its in-person or virtually.
The ICT industry has played a vital role in keeping friends and families connected during festive seasons and the importance of these various communication tools and applications can’t be overstated. They give users the ability to reach beyond our physical borders and as technology continues to evolve, there is no doubt that this industry will continue to play an invaluable role in connecting friends and families.
