In social media, relationships are a strangely public bit of our private lives — pressure to broadcast what used to be intimate moments (proposals, changes in status) is ambient, and a study reveals that this indeed may not be good for your love.
When it comes to social media, relationships are a given for sharing. It’s even been posited opting out of detailing one’s liaisons, loves or commitments on sites like Facebook is a “red flag” or lack of seriousness about a relationship — but it turns out the converse may be the case.
A new social media relationships study out of the University of Oxford’s Internet Institute reveals that while social media doesn’t necessarily damage relationships, too much of it can have a diminishing return on investment — and may even degrade your bond.
Dr. Bernie Hogan explains in a press release that those who use social media in relationships report “no greater relationship satisfaction and some even reported decreasing satisfaction.”
Hogan continues:
This work suggests that media, which now includes online social media, still operates as a signal of ties of strength in relationships. However there may be a cut-off point after which the increasing complexity of maintaining so many separate communications threads starts to undermine relationship ties.
Translation? When it comes to social media and relationships, a bit of mystery may be healthier than total disclosure.
My hubby and I don't spend a buttload of time tweeting, let alone tweeting our relationship. We prefer actually talking.
Yes, I totally get it. That's why I'm not active on very many social media outlets.
I agree, my husband and I have several social accounts, but we keep it to what we meant it for, keeping in contact with people and that's it.
This makes perfect sense. My husband and I sometimes chat on social media or share things that we are doing, but not very often. I much prefer to talk in person!
This makes a lot of sense. I have seen a lot of relationships suffer from this!