Growing up, I never spent a Saturday night at home. For me, the world was outside. In my generation, Saturday nights were for going to the skating rink, playing sports under the lights, and going to parties. Embracing the outside world meant opening the front door and physically leaving home to find community.

But as the young people in my life demonstrate, these days, we can be social in the comfort of our own homes while connecting with friends. The attitude seems to be, why go out when you can have the world come to you? To be entertained, chat with friends, and find community, nowadays, all we need to do is swipe up.

Honestly, as a parent, this online phenomenon sure makes life easy; we don’t have to worry about our children getting into trouble, it’s much less expensive, and we don’t have to wait up all night. But as a researcher, I’m terrified of the consequences as the online world and social media have become the most prevalent third place.

The term "third place" was coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in 1989 and refers to a place where community is built that isn’t the home, work, or school. When Oldenburg coined the term, he never fathomed that third places could exist outside the physical realm.

Third places were community centers, bowling leagues, and churches. They were spaces you had to frequent with your physical body to experience. The act of getting off the couch to inhabit a neutral space full of “regulars” that serves as a home away from home has benefits a screen can never emulate. Third spaces help us maintain a healthy work-life balance. They expose us to new people, help us forge meaningful relationships, and give us a sense of belonging.

But these days, third places are in decline. The most prevalent third place for the past two millennia has been religious communities. Entire social ecosystems were built around faith-based organizations that are a source of social connection and community support, and provide meaning and........

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