We are physical beings and so I don't think anyone would ever say that meeting in person isn't the optimal.

But you need to look at this from different perspectives.

The very fact that people from around the world can meet so easily virtually today is in itself a value regardless of whether it's better to meet in person.

In other words, being able to meet virtually isn't about replacing actual physical visits it's about allowing you to meet a much larger group of people and perhaps find more likeminded people and at much greater distance.

So I am not sure I buy into the premise of this study.

I also am not so sure that I believe we are getting more lonely. I would need to see harder evidence than the typical qualitative studies that are done to determine this. Would love to see how they are actually getting to that conclusion.