I think one thing this discounts is that you form loose connections and sometimes those loose connections become stronger later.

If you have a friend of a friend who you add on socials, and then you see their updates, and then you see them at a mutual party, despite not being well acquainted you are reasonably up to date with their lives. This can make the conversation flow better and you may form a meaningful connection.

What about a local running group that organises everything through Facebook?