We can't deny the grasp that social media has on the whole world (except for remote areas, that is). Everyone is simply excited about what is trending, what is happening, or what is being said by celebrities and idols. So much so that their lives have started to revolve around this. This has, however, proven to have negative effects on people's relationships. Whether it's friendship or romantic connections, social media has been influencing your relationships (even without your knowledge). Here’s how it plays out in our daily lives.
Increased Insecurities
Let’s be real: scrolling through perfectly curated Instagram feeds can mess with your head. You see friends living their best lives, going on amazing trips, and sharing adorable couple moments, and suddenly, you start questioning your own life and relationships. Everything in it will start feeling inadequate and even the relationships you have will start feeling like they don't measure up to the supposed ‘normal standard’. Regardless of those Instagram posts just highlighting what people want to show you, you may find yourself in a blanket of insecurities if you spend a lot of your time on social media. It will eventually get into your head, affecting your self-esteem and in turn, impacting your relationships.
Miscommunication
While it’s easy to rely on texting as a mode of communication, it can be very unreliable when it comes to passing on the right message you intend to share with your loved ones, and I'm sure you can relate to this. When you’re chatting online, it’s easy to misinterpret a message or tone thus causing miscommunications between you and your loved ones. These miscommunications can lead to unnecessary arguments and misunderstandings that might strain your relationships. Unlike during face-to-face conversations, where someone can fully get someone’s non-verbal cues, helping them not to misconstrue the message, relying on social media can cause miscommunication.
Superficial Relationships
How many social media friends do you have on your social media handles? Then how many of those ‘friends’ are your real-life friends (not companions)? Even still, among those whom you talk to regularly, how many of them know the real you? Well, that is the reality of social media. It will give you the illusion that you are surrounded by so many friends who care about you when in reality, it's all superficial. It's easy to just click ‘add friend’ while all you are doing is building your fanbase and not making actual connections. Connected, you could also be missing out on genuine intimacy.
Lost Touch With Reality
Social media can create a distorted sense of reality, making it challenging to appreciate the world around us. Many people find themselves glued to their screens, scrolling through feeds instead of engaging with the people in their immediate surroundings as if social media has become more appealing than real life. The only time people come back to reality is to take a snap to post on social media so they can show how ‘great’ their life is. You will find yourself chasing non-existent hype at the expense of neglecting your real relationships. You can even end up changing your values, to trade them in for social media ones, at the value of losing the people around you. Social media has made a lot of people lose touch with who they are, in turn, ruining their relationships.
Promotion of Micro Cheating
In the age of social media, the concept of cheating has evolved to match the diverse nature of the digital world. Cheating is not just about physical infidelity anymore but now extends to emotional boundaries which have become more blurred on social media. Small acts that might seem harmless, like flirting with someone online or liking a series of attractive posts, can be considered micro-cheating by your significant other, causing them discomfort. These actions can feel innocent but can erode trust and create significant friction in relationships, ruining them in the end. Trust in your relationship can end up being broken at the expense of liking pictures of people who you don't know and who don't care about you.
Escalation of Conflicts
The concept of privacy has been blurred by social media. Private relationship matters now seem easy to air onto social media and because of such recklessness, conflicts have ensued. Just picture all the relationship celebrity drama you are into and how many relationships have been caught up in the swirl of social media, leading to their demise. Many, right? That's what social media does. People will gaslight your arguments and fights, blowing them out of proportion, and in the end, it becomes more about who will win the argument over the reservation of the relationship.
Causes Unrealistic Expectations
Everyone’s boyfriends, girlfriends, parents, or siblings seem to be buying them roses, cars, and flamboyant gifts for their birthdays or as push gifts. In return, you may start picturing yourself as being deserving of that, too, and when your gifts come, you'll be disappointed. The thing is, you know your family’s financial situation, and you know your background, so where do you expect all these very expensive things to come from? Stop straining your relationships with unrealistic expectations and ground yourself back to reality. Don't let social media mess with you and make you less content with what you have.
Reduction of Quality Time
True connection requires undivided attention, and social media can be a significant barrier to that. When you prioritise online interactions over face-to-face conversations, it can create an emotional distance in your relationships that is very hard to bridge. Due to the reduction of physical interactions due to digital ones, many relationships have found themselves failing and being heavily impacted.