As useful as social media is, we can’t even pretend that it hasn’t caused a lot of damage to many relationships; neither can we act like we are immune to social media relationship woes.
The effect of social media on relationships can be really toxic and we just might need to guard our relationships as best we can.
The first way we can avoid social media drama in relationships and perhaps deal with them is, of course, to be aware that they exist. So, here are 5 common relationship issues caused by social media.
- False Reassurance
This is probably one of the major relationship issues that has grown over time. It started from the days of Facebook status change, and now it’s deeper with the likes of Instagram.
If someone decides not to put up their partner’s picture or write long epistles on social media, the partner might think he/she isn’t proud of them. Sometimes, people go as far as suspecting the conservative partner of cheating.
It is a form of false re-assurance that social media tends to cause couples to crave. - Lack of communication
It’s so easy to be together, yet be miles apart with the social media craze.
Everyone is busy with one app or the other while on dates, or even while together in the same house.
You find out that although they spend a good amount time together physically, they still end up not having real conversations. - 3. No more special (quiet) moments
We can almost categorically say that the days where we cherish the special days quietly spent in relationships are over. Now, you HAVE to flaunt it.
You have to show the world how he proposed, how the anniversary was celebrated, how he/she threw the surprise birthday party, how he reacted when she mentioned she was pregnant, the first doctor’s ultrasound appointment, your first visit with your in-laws, your first holiday together, and so on.
The silent mantra is; ‘if it is not shared, it never happened’.
It’s almost becoming to look and feel like certain moments are only created just to have stories to back up how ‘happy’ you are in a relationship. - Unhealthy competition
Social media is definitely a place for competition and comparison; and unfortunately, it turns out to be very unhealthy.
People tend to compare others ‘social media’ relationships with theirs and sometimes, they question if their partner is doing enough.
The #relationshipgoals pressure is real. Partners begins to put pressure on each other to meet these ‘goals’. - Lack of commitment
Social media is an avenue to meet people who might seem to be better than what you have, and it has caused a lot of people to lose the commitment that is needed in every relationship.
It makes it easier to simply choose a new partner because the ‘type’ of person you feel you need, is just a chat away. But everything on social media is whitewashed. People soon discover that their perfect social media crush isn’t so perfect after all.
What other relationship challenges or issues do you think is caused by social media?
photo: favim.com