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The Impact of Social Media on Relationships
If you’re like me, you spend a lot of time on social media. I use it to keep in touch with friends and family, promote my writing and business activities, and occasionally stalk celebrities (I mean, who doesn’t?). But if you’re like me — and the majority of Americans — you also spend a lot of time on social media.
A recent Pew report found that 71% of adults have at least one social media account; that number jumps up significantly among young people aged 18–29 (85%). So while social media is great for staying connected with friends and family far away from home or helping people find support groups when they need them most, it can negatively impact your relationship if not managed correctly.
Here are some ways that happens:
Increased jealousy
Social media sites are full of attractive people, and it’s not hard to see why you might feel jealous when your partner spends more time on Instagram than they do with you. But jealousy isn’t only destructive; it can also signify someone is insecure in their relationship.
Jealousy can lead to fights and arguments if it’s not dealt with quickly enough — especially if underlying issues within the relationship need addressing.
