Interviewer: Welcome, everyone.

Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with David Mitchell, who has
graciously agreed to share his experiences on Internet practices and social dynamics during the COVID-
19 pandemic. David, thank you for joining us.

David: Thank you for having me. I'm eager to share my journey and insights on this important topic.

Interviewer: To start, could you tell us about your current position?

David: Of course. I work as a freelance graphic designer based in Toronto.

Interviewer: What about your education level?

David: I'm degree graduate.

Interviewer: Thank you, David. Can you also share your age with us?

David: I'm 29 years old.

Interviewer: Have you experienced lockdown, and do you live alone during the pandemic?

David: Yes, I experienced lockdown, and I live alone in the heart of Toronto.

Interviewer: Have you contracted COVID-19 at any point?

David: Fortunately, I've managed to avoid contracting the virus so far.

Interviewer: Given the circumstances, did you rely on any specific devices to connect to the Internet
during the pandemic?
David: Yes, my laptop and smartphone became essential tools for both work and staying connected with
friends and family.

Interviewer: Did you find your Internet usage becoming more intensive and excessive during the
pandemic?

David: Absolutely. With work, social interactions, and entertainment all moving online, my Internet
usage increased significantly.

Interviewer: David, can you give us an overview of the Internet landscape during the pandemic and any
changes you observed in your usage habits?

David: Certainly. The pandemic reshaped how I utilized the Internet. Work shifted to remote
collaborations, video meetings, and online design projects. Personally, I found myself spending more
time on social media and exploring virtual art galleries. This shift prompted me to invest in better
equipment and optimize my online workspace as afraid to not connected to network.

Interviewer: Did the total time you spent on the Internet increase or decrease during the pandemic?
Could you describe the major differences before and after COVID?

David: My total time spent online definitely increased. Before the pandemic, I would use the Internet for
work and leisure, totaling around 6-8 hours a day. However, during the pandemic, it easily jumped to
around 10-12 hours, given the need for virtual work interactions and online socializing.

Interviewer: Beyond the increased time, did you notice any differences in your Internet environment
before and during the pandemic?

David: Yes, there were distinct differences. Pre-pandemic, my online interactions were primarily work-
related, involving design collaborations and research. During the pandemic, my online environment
expanded to include virtual design workshops, online exhibitions, and even virtual happy hours with
friends.

Interviewer: Do you believe these shifts in your Internet environment influenced changes in your
preference for online networking?
David: Absolutely. As in-person interactions became limited, online networking became essential for
maintaining professional connections and staying socially engaged. The shift forced me to adapt my
networking strategies, emphasizing virtual interactions to bridge the gap.

Interviewer: Given this context, how did you adapt to the increased exposure to the Internet, or did you
try to withdraw from it at times?

David: Adapting was a learning process. While I embraced the benefits of increased online exposure, I
also recognized the need to balance it with offline activities. I made a conscious effort to take breaks,
engage in hobbies that didn't involve screens, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Interviewer: What motivated you to make these changes in your Internet usage habits, and what
triggered these shifts?

David: My motivation came from realizing that prolonged screen time was affecting my overall well-
being. Eye strain, headaches, and a feeling of being constantly "on" motivated me to find a healthier
equilibrium. The trigger was experiencing a particularly exhausting day after being glued to my screens.

Interviewer: Can you provide a self-evaluation of your Internet usage? Would you say it leaned more
towards excessive use during the pandemic, or did you manage to reduce it compared to the pre-
pandemic period?

David: I'd say there were periods of both excessive use and mindful moderation. During the initial stages
of the pandemic, when adjusting to the new normal, my usage was indeed excessive. However, as time
passed, I actively worked on scaling it back, realizing the importance of screen-free intervals.

Interviewer: Thank you, David, for sharing your insights into your Internet practices and the shifts you've
made during the pandemic. Your experiences provide valuable context for our research.

David: You're welcome. I hope my journey helps shed light on the evolving relationship between
technology, social interactions, and mental well-being.
Interviewer: Certainly, your experiences are invaluable for our study. Moving on to the changing
landscape of online networking, how did these shifts affect your professional and social interactions?

David: The transition to online networking had its advantages and challenges. From a professional
standpoint, virtual collaborations and online design showcases allowed me to connect with clients and
peers across the globe. However, the absence of face-to-face interactions made it challenging to build
deep connections with new contacts. On a personal level, virtual hangouts and art-related webinars
helped me connect with like-minded individuals, although they lacked the personal touch of in-person
meetings.

Interviewer: It's interesting to note the pros and cons of virtual interactions in both professional and
personal spheres. You also mentioned managing the overlap between work and personal time. How did
you handle this transition and maintain a balance between the two?

David: Maintaining balance was crucial to prevent burnout. I established a dedicated workspace at
home, which helped create a mental boundary between work and leisure. I adhered to a fixed work
schedule and incorporated short breaks to step away from screens. After work, I engaged in offline
creative hobbies, such as painting and reading, which allowed me to unwind and switch off from the
digital world.

Interviewer: With the impact of COVID-19 on daily routines, how did the pandemic interfere with your
social interactions?

David: The pandemic had a significant impact on my daily routines. Pre-pandemic, I would often meet
friends for art exhibits, gallery openings, and gatherings. With these events canceled or moved online,
my social interactions shifted to virtual platforms, including virtual art workshops and online discussion
groups.

Interviewer: Did any specific Internet habits affect your social interactions with others? Were you
communicating with others more or less frequently through online platforms?

David: The pandemic led to increased online communication with friends and colleagues. We engaged in
virtual art jam sessions, shared creative projects, and had online catch-up sessions. While the frequency
of interactions increased, I found that the depth of conversation was sometimes compromised by the
limitations of virtual platforms.
Interviewer: You mentioned earlier that anxiety played a role in your pandemic experiences. Was your
anxiety mainly driven by the fear of contracting the virus when out in public, or were there other factors
at play?

David: While the fear of contracting the virus was a part of it, my anxiety was amplified by the
uncertainty of the situation. The sudden shift to remote work, concerns about the economy, and the
feeling of isolation all contributed to heightened anxiety levels.

Interviewer: When thinking of the term "social anxiety," does it resonate with your experiences during
the pandemic, and have you encountered it?

David: The term "social anxiety" does resonate with my experiences during the pandemic. While I
wouldn't describe myself as having clinical social anxiety, I did experience moments of unease when
contemplating social interactions, especially during the height of the pandemic.

Interviewer: Have you faced specific challenges or difficulties related to social anxiety during this time?

David: One notable challenge was attending virtual art workshops with participants I hadn't met before.
The virtual setting made it harder to read social cues, which occasionally led to feelings of self-
consciousness and unease.

Interviewer: In the context of the "new normal" of social interactions, how do you feel, and have you
noticed any physical or emotional changes?

David: The "new normal" elicits mixed emotions. On one hand, there's a sense of hope as restrictions
ease and in-person interactions become more feasible. On the other hand, there's still a level of caution
and uncertainty. Physically, I've noticed that my comfort level with larger gatherings has decreased, and
I'm more conscious of personal space.

Interviewer: Given the COVID situation, have you found yourself using Internet connections as an excuse
to avoid in-person interactions?

David: At times, yes. If I felt overwhelmed or needed to recharge, I would occasionally use the excuse of
work commitments or virtual events as a way to limit in-person interactions temporarily.
Interviewer: Do you feel a sense of isolation due to the ongoing situation? If so, how does that manifest?

David: Yes, there have been instances of feeling isolated, particularly during periods of strict lockdown.
The absence of in-person interactions and the physical presence of friends and family created a sense of
disconnect. Virtual interactions helped, but they couldn't fully replace face-to-face connections.

Interviewer: If you've experienced isolation, could you share any instances of feeling distant from
friends? Have you encountered any situations where you felt emotionally distant from people you were
once close to?

David: Certainly. There was a time when I missed a close friend's milestone celebration due to
restrictions. Although we organized a virtual gathering, it felt different. The lack of shared physical space
impacted the celebratory atmosphere, and despite our best efforts, the emotional connection wasn't as
strong.

Interviewer: Thank you, David, for your openness in sharing your personal journey and insights into the
impact of the pandemic on Internet practices and social interactions. Your experiences are invaluable for
understanding the complexity of these changes.

David: You're welcome. I hope my experiences contribute to a deeper understanding of the

interconnectedness between technology, social dynamics, and emotional well-being.