By Molly Chang
As the new generation is defined by cute couple TikToks and aesthetic Instagram photos, every aspect of one’s personal life is posted on the Internet for everyone to see–especially relationships.
And although some may feel a bit forlorn seeing the topic of romance on their feeds, it is important to remember that the picture-perfect couple you see on Instagram stories maybe isn’t so picture-perfect behind the screen.
While the Internet is definitely useful for a mutual connection and communication between individuals and especially those in long-term relationships, social media comes with negative effects as well, as the Internet distorts the idea of what love is.
Although the phone screen says otherwise, many relationships, even relationships with oneself, are affected by social media, as many don’t realize the difference between what is displayed online and what actually occurs in the real world.
In a study conducted by Katherine A. Morse and Steven L. Neuberg of Arizona State University, 245 undergraduate students were surveyed about their relationships one week before and one week after February 14.
Morse and Neuberg concluded that relationships, even strong ones, were likely to fall apart throughout the course of Valentine’s season, as opposed to any other period during the year. They believed that the reason for this is because the big 1-4 is a public holiday, one that is displayed positively over social media, which in turn creates a distorted perception of love.
Because it’s easy to pick and choose what is posted on to the Internet and what is left in the drafts, oftentimes, people are fooled by their mutuals’ posts popping up on their feeds. And they don’t even know it.
However, it’s important to remember that individuals tend to put out the best parts of their lives online. Whether it be a Photoshopped bikini picture at the beach, a selfie with skin blurring filters, or a Valentine’s Day bouquet of roses boomerang, anything and everything that is put onto social media can be extremely convincing.
Without being aware of it, many people end up negatively comparing their own relationships to those they see in their feeds, from stories of one-year anniversaries to posts of cute coffee dates. While comparison doesn’t seem like a big deal, after a while, it can cause dissatisfaction in both friendships and romantic relationships.
According to a recent study done by the Journal of Education and Social Development in 2018, the more active social media is in somebody’s life, the less satisfied they are with their significant other. Because the negative aspects of a relationship are not usually displayed on the Internet, this causes a false comparison, which can lead to the demise of a relationship.
In addition, relationships can be harmed by social media since it reduces attention and the quality of time spent together. Distraction, frustration and less quality time are all detrimental effects of social media on relationships, according to a recent study.
As discovered in a recent study by Brigham Young University in 2018, excessive use of social media could lead to a poorer quality of time spent in a relationship as it acts as a distraction.
Because phone screens have a way of sucking people in, distracting them from surroundings and reducing the connection with others, whether intentional or not, could bring upon challenges in a relationship.
Not only is it crucial to understand the dangers of social media, but knowing how to deal with them is important, as well.
Although the Internet can be greatly deceiving, this does not mean that couples should rid themselves of social media altogether. Instead, it’s important to recognize and be aware of the harmful effects, in order to sustain a healthy relationship. Most importantly, communication is key.
