Core Insights - The article discusses the paradox of increasing online connections versus a decline in meaningful friendships in real life, highlighting a significant shift in social dynamics over recent decades [5][11]. Group 1: Social Media and Friendships - WeChat has 780 million daily users accessing Moments, with 120 million users posting, indicating stable engagement levels [1]. - Despite the large number of online friends, the actual number of close friends remains low, with studies showing an average of 2.5 best friends in China [4][5]. Group 2: Changing Nature of Relationships - The concept of "Dunbar's number" suggests a limit of 150 close relationships, but this may not apply in the context of modern social media, where superficial connections can be easily maintained [3][6]. - Surveys indicate that many young people struggle to make new friends, particularly in lower-tier cities, with nearly 60% having fewer than two close friends [4]. Group 3: Urbanization and Social Dynamics - Urbanization and population mobility have led to a decline in traditional social structures, making it harder to maintain deep friendships [7][8]. - Increased work pressures and a culture of "involution" have reduced the time available for non-utilitarian social interactions, contributing to the decline of meaningful relationships [8]. Group 4: Trust and Social Connections - A significant decline in interpersonal trust has been observed, with 64% of adults feeling that trust among people is diminishing [10]. - The modern environment fosters anxiety and uncertainty, leading individuals to limit their social circles to a few trusted relationships to mitigate risks [10][11].