Can social media have a negative effect on relationships?
Remember the days when a handwritten letter or bouquet of flowers would be enough to declare your love for one another? No? Neither do we. Nowadays it’s all about plastering updates about your loved one all over your social networks, from a highly-exposed filter courtesy of Instagram to hashtagging the heck out of your relationship #all #over #Twitter.
However, when you’re a high profile celebrity like Kim Kardashian (along with superstar rapper, Kanye West), tweeting your adoration is the done thing.
The reality star dedicated her best moments to a photo collage as part of his 36th birthday present – featuring pictures of them raising a toast to looking deeply into one another’s eyes (all together now, “ahhhh”). Accompanying the image was a sentimental tweet: “Happy Birthday to my best friend, the ❤ of my life, my soul!!!! I love you beyond words!” But with a thin line bordering the blurry edges between the online and offline world, how much is too much when it comes to expressing your undying love to your significant other?
It’s complicated
Research has found that overuse of social media can in fact damage your real-life relationship – often causing anxiety and jealousy amongst couples suffering from low self-esteem. “Not only is social media such as Facebook changing the way we relate to one another, many are also confusing digital intimacy with true intimacy,” explained Dr. Rachel Needle, a psychologist at the Center for Marital and Sexual Health of South Florida. “It has been estimated that Facebook activities contribute to at least 20% of divorce cases.”
Ouch. But why does this happen?
“People typically report very flattering things about themselves on social media–their best photos to the best moments of their lives,” says psychotherapist Christina Steinorth. “When this happens it can lead someone to think ‘Hey, that person is better looking and more interesting than my partner…’ and lead to a grass is greener mindset.”
Bigger ouch. How can we resolve this? Should we take the drastic decision to deactivate our accounts, or is there a way of reining in our prolific use of the ubiquitous social network?
“Social Media can be great for the couples to share their lives more immediately with more of their extended family,” commented relationship expert April Braswell. “However, when it comes to nurturing the loving intimacy of their relationship, some things are best done in person.”
What’s on your mind?
Well there you have it – whilst emotionally it may seem like a viable high, you can’t beat the real thing. So go home, switch off both mentally and digitally, and tell your partner how much you love them with a good old-fashioned hug and kiss. Hashtag win.
Has social media had a negative or positive effect on your relationships? Let us know @Lovestruck
Tweet
