Submitted Photo: Archit Kalra

My brother and third grade student Ayan Kalra lounges on the sofa at his home in Carmel as he talks to his cousins Dhruv Chawla and Dhairya Chawla, who are in Mississauga, Ontario, over Google Hangouts on May 11, 2020. Google Hangouts and other video conference apps have increased in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as the tolls of social distancing on social life became more evident. “Software like Hangouts helped me connect more with my family during this traumatic time, and gave me a deeper sense of emotional connection during this time,” Ayan said.

Archit Kalra