Final answer:
The assertion that the elimination of everyday small connections has greatly impacted our loneliness is true, as digital media have replaced much traditional face-to-face communication, potentially deepening feelings of isolation while also altering many aspects of social interactions and perceptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, the elimination of everyday small connections can significantly impact our feelings of loneliness. In today's digital age, social interactions have been greatly altered by digital media, which often replaces face-to-face communication with online exchanges. While digital tools like cell phones and social media platforms make it easier to stay in contact, they can also make it harder to disconnect from work and give people our undivided attention, which can deepen feelings of isolation.
In sociology, especially through the lens of symbolic interactionism, it is recognized that social interactions and the meanings we attach to our interactions are essential for understanding changes in our society. Therefore, the transformation in how we connect—shifting from in-person to online—can disrupt traditional ways of dealing with conflicts, perceiving ourselves, leveraging social media, and understanding social statuses and symbols.