In a Digital World
Image: Kris Olin via Flickr
By: Maria Alauddin
In a remarkably short period of time, internet and mobile technology have become a part of everyday life all around the world. - Pew Global
Image: J L via Flickr
Digital technology usage has skyrocketed in the past decade
Image: mkhmarke<ng via Flickr
With more than 2 BILLION internet users around the world…
Sta<s<c from: The Culturist mage: RachelSarai via Flickr
…and 73% of online adults use social networking sites
Sta<s<c: Pew Research Internet Project Image: mkhmarke<ng via Flickr
It is easy to see that social media and technology is a big part of our daily lives.
Human beings are constantly digitally interac<ng with one another.
Image: Gary Knight via Flickr
However, is digital
interaction
helpful or a
hindrance
when it comes to romantic
relationship?
Image: Delacour via WikiCommons
“Digital interactions can help us feel physically close, even if they happen through a screen”
- Jenna Worthman. The New York Times
Image: Syl via Flickr
The digital world has created new expectations and implications
for people in relationships.
Image: Syl via Flickr
Couples are expected to become “Facebook official” and announce their relationship on social media
Image: Kris Krug via Flickr
Instagram collages on birthdays, liking their Facebook pictures, sending flirty texts and
responding to Tweets have all become attributes of the
“perfect” boyfriend or girlfriend.
Image: Kris Krug via Flickr
Those that displayed their significant other in their profile picture and were listed as “in a relationship” were more likely to stay together and less likely to have cheated - Allison McCann. Buzzfeed
Image: Syl via Flickr
People feel more pressure from their friends and family to stay together when they have their partner in profile pictures and relationship status”
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Too much focus on our digital devices draws us away from our real social interactions
Image: Harris Hui via Flickr
The more active an individual was on Twitter, the more likely they were to report "Twitter-related" conflict with partners
- James Vincent. “The Twitter Effect”
Image: mkhmarke<ng via Flickr
.. a
Break-ups are therefore made more difficult because of technology.
Image: Oriol Salvador via Flickr
The digital footprint of your romantic relationships follows you into the future…
Image Les Hainesvia Flickr
... and previous partners can contact you through various digital platforms
Image: Diangel234 via Tumblr
Even though technology brings us together, it also threatens to push us apart. - Alex Lickerman. Pscyhology Today
Image:
Sources - http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201006/the-effect-technology-relationships -http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/the-twitter-effect-why-using-social-media-too-much-can-lead-to-divorce-9300404.html http://www.buzzfeed.com/atmccann/how-facebook-ruined-dating-and-breaking-up-too