Social media is becoming an integral part of today's society, and its widespread affects are already palpable. Admittedly, it was unavoidable that these cyber networks would be so influential: 845 million people use Facebook alone. Add this to the fact that the website offers a multitude of ways to meet new people and express your relationship status, and it inevitably turns into the perfect place to meet your next potential partner. According to How Social Media Affects Relationships, the many societal changes to dating include, but are not limited to: the possibility of over-analyzing your significant other's online activity, obsessing over your exes new life post-you, facing the embarrassment of a public break up, and inappropriately sharing too much information. The average relationship initiated online lasts about 18.5 months, while meeting the "old fashioned way" leads to a relationship that will probably last over two times longer (to counteract this alarming statistic, guidebooks are even being written to help people navigate the evidently treacherous realm of cyber space). And, pathetically, 21% of people lack the dignity to break up with someone in person and now believe it is socially acceptable to do so online. Lawyers, picking up on this new trend, are quick to use social media as a defense tactic in divorce cases.
I found this article interesting because it shows all of the unintended, and often times unnoticed side effects of Facebook. People are quick to "like" the photo of someone whom they find attractive, and maybe gain the artificial confidence to even send them a message because they are behind a computer screen, but obviously the relationships which form over these networks are synthetic and ultimately end badly (for the most part). Of course, there are exceptions to every rule so with that I ask: What do you think? Do you believe that sincere bonds can be formed over the Internet, or are you, too, skeptical of Facebook's practicality as a platform for viable relationships?
Hi, first of all, I think that the illustrations in the article you chose are a great portrayal of what happens in real life. I personally believe that it depends on the situation if Facebook is helping or threatening the formation of relationships over the Internet. For example, if the couple in question only interacts through Facebook chat, likes, or comments, then they are more likely to rely on words instead of real emotions. Video chat may be a step up from than just IMs, but it would still not be the same as if you were in the same place with that person. I think that a relationship solely based on Facebook may not be a real relationship at all. On the other hand, if two people were in a relationship and they only used Facebook as a tool to communicate with each other to share their thoughts from time to time, while still seeing each other in person, then I think it would help them grow closer. Either way, Facebook visibly plays a part in a number of relationships within our culture.
ReplyDeleteHey Sarah!
ReplyDeleteThis post is really fascinating about how we let social media dictate lives so easily! We really do need more face-to-face conversation; we let Facebook take over our lives because we have become obsessed with what people are doing, including those we are romantically interested in! Sure, it can help us, but also it can hurt us, and soon our lives will be like the movie Wall-E, where face-to-face interaction is obsolete! Facebook really does play a significant part in any type of relationship, whether it's with a friend, best friend, romantic partner, family member, or even our enemies.