Lisa O
In today’s world, you’ve probably heard or seen how having an online presence can mess with relationships. Social media is such a big part of our lives now. While it can help us stay connected—it can also lead to misunderstandings and issues with the people around us. Here are 15 ways social media is secretly sabotaging your relationship.
Your past can affect your current relationship.
You might be really happy with your current partner, but when an ex hits you up on Messenger, it can stir up old memories and make you second-guess things. Even if you’re not planning to get back with them, staying in touch with someone you used to be close to can make your partner uneasy and cause tension. It’s best to keep your past out of your present relationship.
Your online life might overshadow real-life interactions.
Imagine your partner sets up a romantic date night for you. When you hit the restaurant, you’re busy checking your Facebook updates. Then, you snap a cute pic of the two of you at the table and post it to your WhatsApp status. When the food comes—you’re too busy trying to get the perfect Instagram shot to dig in immediately. This constant social media obsession can really annoy your partner.
Phubbing can be hurtful.
Phubbing is when you ignore or brush off someone right in front of you because you’re glued to your phone. While “phubbing” might not be a familiar term, 51% of Americans in relationships say their partner often or sometimes gets distracted by their phone during talks. Also, 40% admit they’re bothered by how much time their partner spends on their phone.
You might lose interest in each other.
Back in the day, couples would snuggle up on the bed or sofa, but nowadays, many reach for their phones instead of chatting or cuddling. Even before getting intimate, they’re often glued to their screens rather than enjoying some playful moments together. Over time, this can lead to disappointment in bed and a loss of interest in physical closeness.
Online temptations can be hard to resist.
Social media has made it much easier to connect with people we wouldn’t normally talk to in real life. The convenience of chatting online can make it tempting to explore new dating and romance options. However, this ease of communication can sometimes lead to cheating since it’s easy to flirt and be sneaky from behind a phone or computer screen.
Your expectations of your partner might shift.
When we see our friends sharing cute couple pics online, we want to do the same. This can lead to issues, especially if your partner can’t live up to those expectations. While posting romantic photos might look nice, it can actually hurt your relationship in real life. Instead of focusing on public displays of affection, it’s better to have personal, meaningful conversations with your partner.
Sharing too much online can invade privacy.
Some people get so caught up in creating a buzz online that they share even their most private moments. Posting these intimate pictures to prove your relationship is amazing can take away from the special experiences you share with your partner. Instead of enjoying those moments just between you, you seek approval and validation from others.
Online attention can ruin your mood.
Imagine being on a dreamy vacation with your partner on a beautiful island. You post a picture from the beach and then get stuck checking your phone for likes. If someone leaves a rude comment, it can totally ruin your mood and spoil your time together. While people’s opinions do matter, you don’t need to seek them out for every moment in your life. Sometimes, it’s better to keep special moments just between you.
It can reduce meaningful conversations.
When you first started dating your partner, you’d probably spend hours chatting online, just dying to meet them in person. Now that you’re actually together—you might find yourself scrolling through social media instead of enjoying each other’s company. Being hooked on your phone can really eat into your time together and make you miss out on those special conversations with your partner.
Social media might replace real-life attention.
Your partner might post a “Happy Birthday” message online, showing off how much they love you. But if they don’t even give you a warm kiss or hug on your birthday in real life, what’s the point? Some people think that posting stuff online is enough to make their partner happy—but that’s not true. Missing out on real-life attention can really affect your relationship.
It can make you feel insecure.
It’s pretty common for spouses to keep an eye on the reactions to their partner’s posts and pictures online. You might find yourself checking who’s commenting and what your partner is saying in response. If you see an ex or someone your partner used to like commenting, your insecurities might kick in and lead to an argument.
You might feel pressured to meet others’ expectations.
Trying to keep up with a busy social life might make you feel like you need to live a certain way. You might buy the newest gadgets or luxury stuff just to show off online, or hit up trendy restaurants and places not because you’re really into them—but because they’re popular on social media. Constantly updating your feed can mess with your budget and put a strain on your relationship.
Comparing your life to others can be damaging.
Even if you’re content with your family life, seeing a friend partying at a fancy club with their partner might make you feel a bit envious. You might start thinking they’re having way more fun with their spouse while your life feels a bit boring in comparison. This kind of comparison can make you feel frustrated and put a strain on your own relationship.
Posting every feeling online can cause fights.
Imagine your spouse coming home all worked up because a coworker asked about the fight you had this morning. How did they find out? They saw your vague post online about how hard marriage is and how your spouse seems to not care. Posting about your personal issues online often shows what’s going on in real life. This habit can really tick off your partner and lead to unnecessary drama.
You might get addicted to stalking.
Your spouse might have told you about their past relationships, and you might seem fine with it on the surface. But once you’re alone, you could end up stalking their ex online, feeling jealous and obsessing over whether they’re still in touch with your partner. This kind of behavior can be really toxic and can mess up your relationship.