There was once a time when friendships were formed by meeting one another as kids, connecting over favorite colors, little secrets, crushes, and playdates. But now, in a world that was once wholesome, modern technology has altered human connection, where messages replace memories, and those memories live in society’s camera rolls instead of our hearts.

While technology brings us closer than ever by keeping up with random Snapchat streaks, FaceTimes, and DMs, it also takes away the humanity that friendships were once built on. We stay connected through those little things, but sometimes the conversations feel lighter, shorter, and less deep. 

We met when we were just starting middle school, both joining our school’s Flag Football team, and we automatically connected. The connection we built was based on a genuine passion we both had: sports. 

Having already created that wholesome foundation for our friendship, we became closer than ever, unlike how things are in society now, with friendships and social media being the foundations of connection.

We were lucky enough to meet each other before technology even had the chance to shape it. Although people currently follow the tradition of holding streaks and sending TikToks to each other. The main reason we connect is that our bond is built on genuine moments, deep conversations, passion, and trust that does not disappear when the screen turns off. 

On a deeper level, the bond we have between one another is something not even one of us would trade for the world. There will always be something unique and pure about a friendship that started because we crossed paths. Rather than social media creating those paths for us.

Now, most friendships are held together by how long their streak is rather than by an actual bond. People treat a number next to a fire emoji as if it defines how deep and genuine your friendship is, more than the actual relationship itself. And sometimes it feels like keeping a streak alive has become more important than maintaining a real friendship.

Despite how huge social media is now, there are still friendships out there that stay strong without any streaks, snaps, or posts at all. Some people barely use social platforms and still manage to build honest, deep, and meaningful bonds simply by showing up in real life and being there for each other. That connection is something we wish everyone would experience at least once in their life, a genuine, everlasting friendship.

Although social media can be a source of building friendships, whether it’s with someone from school you meet through Snapchat, Instagram, or another platform. Friendships have shifted. We will admit that social media has helped us keep in touch with long-distance friends, but it has also made friendships around us seem less “meaningful.”

We understand that social media has the potential to strip humanity of something beautiful: friendship. It makes it harder to show who you truly are deep down, sugar-coating what you offer others. Understanding and building a foundation on a genuine connection formed through shared experiences, interests, and love always form friendships that last far beyond graduation. And that’s the goal, isn’t it? It sure was for us.