#workingfromhome: Social Distancing and The Rise of Video Conferencing

#workingfromhome: Social Distancing and The Rise of Video Conferencing

The rise of social distancing has been imperative to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. Governments all over the world are requesting that citizens stay indoors, avoid public spaces, and avoid any and all social gatherings. These requests are soon to be mandated by police presence, with some countries fining their citizens and imposing jail time if caught outside.

However, social interaction is vital for a healthy physical and mental lifestyle. An article from Psychology Today states, “The researchers found that having limited face-to-face social contact nearly doubles someone’s risk of having depression.”

How can we adopt our new social distancing norms, but also maintain a healthy social and work life balance?

Videoconferencing apps are the solution.

The answer is found in video conferencing apps, such as Zoom. Users can interact face-to-face, which provides more of a stronger social connection, rather than email or phone calls. Not to mention, videoconferencing seems to be the only industry these days that is profiting. Zoom is now valued at $29 Billion, with it recently being the number one downloaded application on the app store.

Not only are videoconferencing applications important for business and school meetings, but they are vital for social gatherings. In order to combat loneliness in social isolation, the New York Times reports that students are now using videoconferencing to schedule blind dates, while parents are scheduling “Zoom Recess” for their children at home.

What about our privacy?

However, there is a drawback to Zoom, and other videoconferencing apps like Facebook Hangouts — the question of data privacy. Zoom’s privacy policy allows for data to be shared for targeted advertising.

With dApps built on the blockchain, users do not have to worry about third parties recording data for targeted advertising. Videoconferencing apps can adopt Debrief’s unique middleware technology, which allows for apps like Zoom to build upon Debrief’s network utilizing the secure blockchain authentication and decentralized architecture. Therefore, communication through social distancing stays safe, fun, and secure.