The COVID-19 pandemic did not merely disrupt daily routines — it restructured the very architecture of social life. One of the most persistent shifts that emerged is what researchers now call sofalizing: the preference for engaging socially through digital platforms from one’s home rather than meeting others face-to-face.
Defining the Term
The word itself is a portmanteau of “sofa” and “socializing.” While it may sound informal, it captures something real and measurable: a pattern in which individuals increasingly substitute in-person gatherings with video calls, messaging apps, and social media interactions — all from the comfort of their living rooms.
My research has focused on emerging adults — roughly those between 18 and 29 — who represent the generation most likely to have normalized this behavior during the pandemic years and carried it forward.
What the Data Shows
Across multiple studies, we find that sofalizing is not simply laziness or social withdrawal. It is often a deliberate choice driven by:
- Convenience and flexibility — digital contact removes travel time and scheduling friction
- Perceived safety — particularly among those with health anxieties that persisted post-pandemic
- Introversion and social fatigue — some individuals genuinely recharge more easily in digital spaces
- Platform habituation — years of normalized video calling have lowered the perceived distance of digital interaction
Why It Matters
Sofalizing raises important questions for mental health, social cohesion, and the long-term development of interpersonal skills. Early findings suggest that moderate sofalizing does not necessarily harm well-being — but when it becomes the primary mode of social connection, particularly in younger adults, it correlates with loneliness and reduced social confidence.
Looking Ahead
As we move further from the acute phase of the pandemic, understanding which sofalizing behaviors persist — and which fade — will be crucial for educators, psychologists, and policymakers. My ongoing research tracks these patterns longitudinally to better understand the tipping points between healthy digital socialization and problematic avoidance.
For a full list of publications related to this research track, visit the Publications page.