Social Media and Relationships
Between Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and other social media sites (not to mention texting), do you spend more time gazing at your phone or tablet than looking at the important people in your lives? New research indicates that couples who use more than five social media sites report a decrease in marital satisfaction, according to the Daily Mail, and that 20 percent of adults said the internet had a mostly negative impact on their marriage or partnership, according to Pew Research. Whether you’re ignoring your kids in order to stay up on the latest news or tuning out your friends or significant other to post about the amazing restaurant you’re at, it’s worthwhile to examine the role of social media in your life. Social media can offer long-distance connection, access to events and information, and a fun way to share what you’re up to, but social media addiction certainly has a darker side. If you think social media is negatively affecting your relationships, consider the following:
-Try a digital detox. Take one week (or even one month) away from everything social media. While it might be challenging at first, notice if you have extra time for other things – or people – in your life.
-Make a point of putting down the phone before meal time. Talk to each other rather than scrolling, pinning or posting.
-Don’t be an online stalker or obsessed with visions of other people’s happiness. If you find yourself hunting down your boyfriends ex’s or seething with envy over your friend’s tropical vacation photos, remember that almost everyone looks happier online and focus on the good things in your life.
-Set time limits. Maybe it’s 10 minutes in the morning and 10 at night, but when you have active limits for your social media usage, you won’t find yourself mindlessly browsing through the important moments in your life.
