It’s the same story time and time again. The impact of social media in a relationship can be powerful. If used appropriately, the world knows about your relationship status and the amount of love and commitment that can go into it. However, oftentimes social media has caused arguments and resentment in relationships. Is this the same for you? Here are 4 warning signs that social media is negatively affecting your relationship.
- You or your partner are spending more alone time on social media than alone time together.
Time together is an important part of a relationship. As we grow, so should our relationship. It is incredibly important to always be learning about your partner, since everyone is always changing. If you are spending more time on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter than with your partner, then it is a sure sign that social media is negatively affecting your relationship.
- Social media has created jealousy in your relationship.
There are unrealistic expectations in the world and social media plays a large role in this. There is so much access to other individuals, what they look like, what they are doing, how their life is going, that it often can leave us feeling inadequate in our own lives. The same goes for a relationship. We now have access to see and talk to many people that we might not have connected to if there was no such way. If you or your partner are getting jealous about things the other person sees, or who they talk to on their social accounts, then you know social media is having a negative impact on your relationship.
- Arguments happen over social media
In a relationship, arguments are going to happen. That is just a fact. There is no such thing as an argument-free relationship. These arguments allow us to learn more about the other person and allow us to learn how to live peacefully with one another. However, if the arguments are often about one subject, and behaviors do not change, then it does become a problem. Arguments over who they are talking to, who they look up, and how much time is spent on social media sites are often common in these instances.
- Your partner is hiding their social media from you.
In a relationship it is important to not hide things from one another. If you, or your partner, are feeling a need to hide their social media from one another it could be a huge red flag that social media is negatively affecting your relationship. There honestly should not be a reason that what is on a person’s social media should be hidden from their partner, since their lives are connected on a deeper level. Items that might be hidden include messages from others, friends they may have, and people they may follow. It is important to note that there are so many positive things that social media brings to the world. Some people tend to open up more when it is over the phone because they feel they can be themselves, where in a physical place they may not be able to do so. People who are introverted find it especially handy when meeting new people. However, there is a healthy amount and an amount that shows negative consequences in a relationship. You can have a great relationship with your spouse and balance the social media needs by communicating with one another and expressing what is acceptable and what will not be tolerated.
-Written by Vanessa Probert, PCLSW