"Reach out," the old jingled implored. "Reach out and touch someone." That was the 1980s, and the metaphor of physical touch helped humanize the still-nascent technology of long-distance phone calls.

Few people realize Alexa can send a virtual hug. It's a neat little feature, a surprise that can improve someone's day. If ...

Russell Stover's campaign on TikTok is an extension of a digital effort that urged people to send each other "virtual hugs" as the coronavirus pandemic dissuades physical contact. By enlisting an ...