“Human beings yearn for connection and belonging. Numerous studies have linked social support to positive mental health.” (Bonnano)
However, as social media rises as a trend, it seems as if it is almost replacing real, social interactions/relationships with virtual and online communication. With this rising trend, it is starting to concern people as real- life relationships and communication is slowly fading. Although virtual communication makes interactions a lot more convenient and provides a sense of “instant gratification”, it seems to take away the real-life, more personal, sense of communication.
Why you shouldn't believe all the #blessed status updates your friend writes about her beau: http://t.co/1G97Akukk9 pic.twitter.com/YJ3Z5ufuTL
— Cosmopolitan (@Cosmopolitan) September 29, 2014
One aspect of communication that social media has significantly impacted is on between couples. Jealousy is an issue that has become more and more apparent as social media tends to cause more insecurities between intimate relationships. Social media tends to cause a lot of unnecessary distractions between couples, such as, getting jealous over someone in a picture with your significant other, or even liking and commenting on other peoples posts besides your significant other.
“Social media and technology combined are slowly becoming the number one cause of problems and arguments in relationships.” (Relationship Rules.com)
However, aside from the negative aspect of social media, it also has impacted communication and relationships positively. It has been the modern era’s biggest, most efficient, tool and source of communicating. People are able to now meet one another virtually through cyberspace and create a “cyber- relationship” online without even having to physically meet in person. As social media makes new relationships more easily accessible and also helps maintain relationships that are not as easily accessible due to distance, it is rapidly becoming the new form of building relationships and connecting with one another through a virtual space/community.
We must focus on a physics of connection "an understanding of what's necessary to build real & lasting connections in digital space"@EthanZ
— Amy Kawata (@amy_kawata) February 1, 2016
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