Social media has been viewed as the thread that connects us globally. Unfortunately, that thread is turning into a thin line that separates couples and family members from each other.
The advancement of technology has provided us with unlimited access to social media. Social media has proved to be the “anywhere door.” The user can connect to people, view places, learn things from all over the globe. It was invented for the betterment of humanity.
Like every other invention, social media also has its boon and bane. It certainly has had an impact on relations. If overused, social media is toxic for relationships. In this blog, we will focus on the impact of social media among married couples and the impact of social media on family relationships.
Impact of Social Media among Married Couples
Social media has made positive as well as negative impacts on married couples. Let us take a look at the relation between social media and marriage.
1. Keeping in Touch
Some partners have to live away from each other due to their occupations or other commitments. Social media has been their messiah, and it has given them the resources to stay in touch with each other despite the distance between them.
Video calls, sharing pictures and videos, regular updates, expressing through emoticons have helped keep their bond strong.
2. Sharing
Couples on social media can share various posts and have conversations about them. They have to think about their partner’s likes, dislikes, areas of interest, sense of humour in order to send relatable content. Which in turn helps them know each other better.
3. Know Their Circle
It may not be possible to meet all your spouse’s friends, but virtually knowing the friend circle through social media saves you time and clarifies the type of people your spouse is comfortable around.
3. Missing the Moment
Couples could be sitting together in the same room but not interacting. The option of indulging in social media and conversing with people online seems more comfortable than having an emotionally driven conversation with your spouse.
Therefore, when couples are out together for a date night, they are checking their phones rather than checking on their partner. Leading to a communication gap that is harmful to their relationship.
Many of them are more excited to post pictures and memories with their spouse instead of living in the moment and experiencing those memories. They forget to live in the present moment as they try to make their past look beautiful.
4. Doubting the Bond
Acknowledging your partner’s existence via social media is now recognized as an essential aspect of marriages, and it is even considered as a measure of love for your partner.
Posting your partner’s pictures, mentioning them on social media, adding cute comments and captions for their photographs, and clearly mentioning your relationship’s nature are considered mandatory for each couple.
If not done, your partner has grounds to doubt your love and loyalty towards them. This has now been a common issue between couples on social media, especially for those couples where one partner is not active or expressive on their social media accounts.
5. More Distractions
There is unlimited access to all types of people and content from all over the world on social media. It is possible to interact with people and view content that one would not otherwise come across.
This has proved to be a problem for some married couples. In case of issues between the couple, instead of solving the problem, a partner can look for other options on social media, throwing the current relations to the sidelines.
6. Letting Others In
It has been observed that many individuals use social media platforms to vent out their feelings and share the ordeals faced by them. This involves giving away information about their own personal life, relationship with their spouse, and even their spouse’s personal life.
This practice acts as an invitation to strangers. It gives them the chance to comment on the person’s post thereby invading their privacy.
When it comes to married couples, both partners may not be comfortable with this practice. One of them may feel violated by the unnecessary views, comments, and suggestions given by strangers, further leading to discord between the partners.
The connection and conversations on social media may also invite an opportunity for infidelity. If not in person, the concept of virtual intimacy can be carried out via social media, which is no less a threat than physical infidelity.
7. Tracking
Social media has provided a facility for tracking a person’s location at any given minute. People with trust issues or insecurities may use this feature to constantly keep a tab on their partners, making them feel suffocated. Hence proving, social media is toxic for relationships.
Connect offline with your partner for a healthier marriage.
Reduce social media usage through therapy.
Impact of Social Media on Family Relationships
Social media platforms have given family members the access to stay in contact with each other and share everyday life, no matter the distance or time.
Children studying or working away from home can reach out to their parents, and parents can virtually check in on their children.
At the same time, family members sitting together for dinner are not quite together. They are all busy reaching out to the world through their devices.
Social media has changed the dynamics of a family. Children no longer go to their parents for help; they go to google.
Family members are engrossed in their devices; they no longer look at each other during conversations.
Parents, likewise, have found comfort in the understanding that their children are independent; they can search for answers by themselves. They ignore the advantages of being involved in their child’s learning, decision making, entertainment and other minor and major aspects.
As mentioned above, social media poses some danger to marriage and family but it can also be used for the unity of couples and family. It has benefits and drawbacks among married couples, and it carries those benefits and drawbacks further in families. Either way, caused changes in all types of relationships over the past decade.
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