relationships in a digital world

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

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Digital technology usage has skyrocketed in the past decade

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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

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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

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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”

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..  a  

Break-ups are therefore made more difficult because of technology.

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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