Kids Can Socialize in a Digital World

This week, I had the opportunity to speak to several school districts about the work we're doing in the virtual elementary world. On the surface, it seemed like an easy task. After all, I'm passionate about education, I believe deeply in the impact we have on students, and I never pass up the chance to talk about it.

But one question kept surfacing, again and again:

"Can kids really socialize and make meaningful connections in a digital learning environment?"

It's a fair question and one I used to answer very differently.

Five years ago, I probably would've said no. Like many others, I believed that without lunch tables, recess, hallway chats, and classroom interactions, students would miss out on real connection. But I've spent the last several years watching, learning, and listening. And my answer has changed.

Yes, they can. And they do.

I've seen children light up when they recognize a classmate in a morning meeting. I've seen quiet students find their voice in the chat box when they're too shy to unmute. I've seen friendships form over shared projects, emojis, and inside jokes that develop in virtual classrooms.

Here are just a few of the ways students are connecting digitally—and why we shouldn't underestimate the power of these connections:

Breakout Rooms & Small Group ChatsStudents collaborate in smaller, more manageable groups where everyone has a chance to speak and be heard. These often become spaces where they feel safe enough to share ideas and build trust.

Interactive Tools

Whiteboards, polls, shared slides, and collaborative documents let kids work together in real time. These tools spark creativity and teamwork, even when students aren't physically in the same room.

Virtual Clubs and Field TripsDigital platforms offer spaces for students to gather around shared interests and passions. These groups often mimic (and sometimes even surpass) the sense of community found in traditional school clubs. I mean the students can go anywhere in the world!!

One-on-One Teacher ConnectionsMany teachers report stronger relationships with individual students in virtual settings. Without classroom distractions, there's more time to check in, listen, and connect on a personal level.

Student-Led ProjectsWhen students take the lead—whether in presentations, digital storytelling, or peer mentoring—they begin to see each other as collaborators and supporters, not just classmates on a screen.

It's not the same as a traditional classroom—but that doesn't mean it's less than.

Are there still challenges? Of course. But connection is possible. And it's happening every day.

As educators, it's our job to create intentional moments for connection, to model empathy and kindness online, and to remind ourselves that the tools we use are only as powerful as the relationships they help us build.

We're not just teaching content. We're nurturing humans. And humans, even the smallest ones, are remarkably adaptable and beautifully social—even in a digital world.