Social media has had a profound impact on the dynamics of modern-day relationships. The trendy social outlets that we tend to use on a regular basis affect how we handle the honeymoon phases, the hectic times, and even the heartbreaks.
Couples thrive off of the reassurance of "likes" and "favorites". They liked our picture? I guess we really are a cute couple! Sometimes, it appears as if these "cute couples" are together for the wrong reasons. Outside of the digital world, we might find them arguing about trust issues, or tearing each other down about their insecurities. In a generation that places high priority on how we are perceived, it is clear that social media ruins relationships, and sometimes induces those who are in unhealthy relationships to stay together.
As an eighteen-year-old girl who just finished high school, I have seen the damaging effects of social media on my friends' relationships. We have all heard the stories before, and the fights that arise from them. Why did you like HIS picture? Why did you post a photo of you wearing a bikini for all of your followers to see? Why is she messaging you? What do you talk to that girl about and how do you know her? The arguments that emerge from social media are meaningless to say the least, yet have the power to progressively deteriorate relationships.
Before the invention of the smartphone in 1992, people did not have access to social media and were unable to fight about such minute issues. People did not bicker about the small things, like who "followed" who via Twitter and Instagram, or who "poked" who via Facebook. Social media has caused many couples to question their significant other's honesty and loyalty, and quarrel about minor matters. It has caused some couples to place higher importance on how they look to their "followers" rather than how they feel towards one another. Social media has ruined many relationships by implementing "relationship goals" through various photos and videos, asserting that professionally photographed scenes on tropical islands with pretty people should be everyone's relationship goal. Social media has ruined many relationships by allowing couples to take the immature route and "subtweet" each other when fighting, rather than simply shoot each other a text or phone call to talk out the issue. It is apparent that social media and its growing popularity is capable of hindering the development of relationships, and it is important for us to take a step back and recognize the problem at hand.
