How Does Social Media Affect Today’s Relationships?

The age of social media is upon us, and it is easy for anyone to see that it has brought with it some serious changes in communication tendencies. Since communication is a vital aspect of any relationship, it stands to reason that social media effects the ways that relationships function as well. People are more easily accessible, and there are many more modes of communication with which to contact one another. This means it is possible to be in contact with one another virtually twenty-four seven if you wanted to be. For some couples, this is a dream come true. However, not all people want to be in contact with their significant other that frequently, and if there is a discrepancy between what two partners desire, then this can lead to problems.

Many couples love the idea of being able to communicate with one another constantly. It lets them be a part of each other’s lives even when they cannot physically be at events with each other. It lets them be in contact with one another during, and ease the pain of being stuck at, family or friend functions they wish they could have skipped. It lets them easily tell one another how their day has gone, without having to go see one another in person if they are too busy or tired, or even do not have the means of communication. It makes long distance relationships infinitely easier to maintain, and it even allows people to meet and start relationships with people who they may never have crossed paths with outside of the internet. It makes reaching out to your significant other when you are having a bad day or something happens in your life much easier, and allows them to be the first to know what has happened if you wish it. If it is amenable to both partners, the ability to frequently contact one another can strengthen a relationship fantastically.

Not every person likes the fact that they are reachable every second of every day. Some people want time alone, away from everyone. This includes their significant others. Some of the biggest relationship issues arise when one partner wants more space, and one partner wants to take advantage of all means of communication possible. This can lead to the partner who wishes for more alone time feeling suffocated. They can feel like they are not living their own life, but rather an extension of their significant other’s life. On the other hand, the partner who is working hard to keep in frequent communication can feel lonely or abandoned by their significant other’s lack of desire to reciprocate.

Overall, the important thing about being in a relationship in the age of social media is to be sure that both partners have equal expectations. If one of you expects to hear from the other 10 times a day minimum, and the other prefers to only check their texts once every 2 days, there will be a problem. Talk about what each of you wants, and if there is a discrepancy try to find a middle ground. This will keep both of you happy, with neither of you feeling suffocated or abandoned.