iLuv U

Flickr:  ShellyS  

In today’s digital age, social media have altered how we define our romantic relationships, and completely changed the landscape of dating

Flickr:  kdonovan_gaddy  

Where do you think you will encounter your next romantic relationship?

Flickr:  naama  

Flickr:  Forget  Me  Knot  Photography    

Before you answer the bars, your volunteer group, or through friends, consider this:

40 million North

Americans now use

online dating sites

¼ of all Canadians have tried Internet dating, and 16 % have engaged in

sexual relationships with someone they

met online  

And don’t think online dating is just

for singles to mingle …

Flickr:  CarbonNYC  

Sites like Ashley Madison make their money from the slogan

“Life is short, have an Affair”  

Flickr:  Jeff  Belmonte  

Experts predict that the future will see more relationships, but also more divorce

Flickr:  dark4    

Social media have not only transformed the way we

engage in romantic relationships, but also how

we establish them

Flickr:  Nina  MaBhews  Photography  

The days of expressing romantic interest by asking for that phone number has become a page for the history books

Flickr:  On  the  White  Line    

Facebook has allowed us to “know” someone before knowing them in real life

aka. “Facebook Stalking”  

Flickr:  chase_ellioB  

So goodbye butterflies and excitement, I already know everything about you

Studies show that we often Facebook stalk to reduce “uncertainty in relationships”  

Once you start dating, PDFAs (Public Display of Facebook Affection) reflects how committed people are in real life

Forget about the engagement ring, becoming FBO (Facebook Official) is the new milestone in couples’ relationships

Flickr:  KellyB.  

Wiki  Commons:  Travis  Isaacs  

Now that you’re official, how do you maintain a strong relationship?

A page from any expert-dating book would tell you:

open and honest communication is key

But through all this social media clutter and noise, can you really hear?

A decade ago, main relationship compromises consisted of religion,

politics, and number of kids 

Flickr:  idogcow  

Today, the battle is Text vs. Phone Facebook vs. Twitter

Flickr:  SrLigYnnek  

Experts say how well we negotiate electronic communication in our relationships can make or break them

So what happens when the relationship comes to an end?

Flickr:  katerha  

Traditionally, it would mean the end of communication and encounters

BUT NOT ANYMORE  

You are bound to have

“virtual run-ins ”with your exes when your online social lives are so entangled

Studies show that having an ex on Facebook delays emotional recovery and leads to greater distress

But don’t worry! Just create an online dating profile, or a Status update, and you are well on your way to meeting someone

new!

Work Cited He Texts, She Tweets—Are They E-Compatible? By Elizabeth Bernstein. The Wall Street Journal. July 2012. How Facebook Ruined Dating (And Breaking Up Too). By Allison McCann. BuzzFeed. October 2012.  I Now Pronounce You FBO: Facebook Official. By Tom Jacobs. Pacific Standard. January 2013. Online dating and the search for true love — or loves. By Katie Engelhart. Maclean’s. January 2013.