Social media can play a pivotal role in someone’s life, creating positive impact on work opportunities, collaborations, or connecting with others. However, what impact does it have on our relationship and should you be taking a break?
Statistics
In one 2018 study by Brigham Young University, they found that extensive social media usage is linked with decreased emotional wellness and lower satisfaction in interpersonal relationships. In a recent blog by Sprout Social, they reported that as of January 2022, there are 3.96 billion total social media users across all platforms. It also states that the amount of time adults use social media across all platforms is now higher than ever adding up to 95 minutes per day.
‘Now higher than ever’ is a positive and negative statement to think about. Of course, as humans it is natural for us to think of the negatives first, however, lets talk about the positives and how it has a good impact on our relationship.
Good points
Firstly, many people have found love on the internet and especially through social media. Not only is it a great way of meeting your potential future husband or wife, but you can also connect with other creatives in different places.
If you and your partner both using social media, then why not create one page for the both of you. You can upload your content on there and it will give you a chance to work and build something together. Many couples have a joint social media account where they can document the amazing places they travel too, do challenges, pranks, or making delicious food and showing it off to the rest of us! By working on a #couplegoals page together, you get to collaborate with brands and use two heads instead of one.
Browsing through social media can give you the creative break that you need to find inspiration while your partner is doing something he/she enjoys. It’s fine to admit that social media is a hobby if you’re using it to build your profile and actually working on creating content – not just sitting looking at what everyone else is doing. Just make it clear to your partner that you will be spending an hour or 2 to create content, then editing, scheduling or posting online because you enjoy it and its work.
Bad points
The negative effects it may have on your relationship is that consuming too much social media and the overuse of it can get you down and make you compare yourself and your relationship to others. In an article titled 60+ Social Media Depression & Mental Health Statistics 2021, research showed that social media depression has increased by 52% in teens and 63% in young adults over the last decade. 55% of 22–23-year old’s have had suicidal thoughts when comparing the statistic of 2008 with 2017 and twice as many have attempted suicide. Psychological distress has risen to 71% in younger people aged 18 to 25.’
That is a lot of data to take in. The rise of depression in teenagers and young adults impacts any relationship whether it be with your partner, a friend or even family. A mood switch or mood change will have a negative effect on a partner which can change the dynamic of a relationship and even impact the other person to start generating the same symptoms.
Where does the depression come from?
Like we said before, comparing yourself to others on social media can have a negative impact on your self-esteem and how you view your relationship.
You may see the “perfect couple” who are always romantic in their pictures, always travelling or staying in the most amazing places or going out for fancy food in fancy hotels. Remember, whatever you see online, it is different from the real world. You don’t know what happens behind closed doors and just like every other couple, those “perfect” #couplegoals images and videos that you see, do you really think they have never had one argument in their relationship? Before their video was taken of a romantic dinner, they probably argued about where to go for that dinner!
Don’t be too consumed into what you see or what you are watching. Even if you are the person making the #couplegoals content. Don’t get too invested in making everything look perfect as you will start to live an inauthentic life. Let me ask you something just to put it into perspective for you, if social media was erased tomorrow, would you and your partner cope without posting your romantic images/videos together?
There are so many couples online who I have seen, especially on TikTok who have fast-paced their lives from being together for 2 months to getting engaged in 5 and getting married in 8, potentially just for content. They post daily that it seems like the genuine videos that they actually used to create now don’t seem authentic as it looks like they plan their pranks or scripts just for their viewers. That’s all fine if it works for them, but my point is don’t live your lives together for social media because if social media platforms weren’t there, would your relationship still survive?
Another negative effect that social media has is posting content against your partner in a feud that you had for attention or for a reaction – yes, this happens, and yes, I have also witnessed this. If you have had an argument with your partner, it could be escalated to something even worse if you start posting about it online for comfort, attention or for a reaction from your partner. Like the saying goes “don’t air your dirty laundry” and keep it behind closed doors, unless you are being abused, then this is a completely different case and you should call for help.
Tips
Limit your time on social media as you can start becoming obsessed with watching other people’s lifestyle rather than focusing on your own and being grateful for what you have. Focusing less time on social media and more time on your partner will develop the relationship you have and make you learn new things about them or make you do things together rather than relying on social media to make your relationship fun.
Also schedule the use of social media into your routine, and if you don’t have a routine, then it’s time to start making one. Like with everything else, there is a time and place for using social media so make sure you use it wisely and don’t get too attached to your phone. Schedule in your posts then break away from it and have a time out like going for a walk with your partner or going for a swim together. Switching your phone off and doing something active should lift your mood and let you forget about what everyone else is doing but let you focus on you and your other half!
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