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What impact does social media have on the way we perceive love and relationships?

Kamryn Leates

Social media has without a doubt revolutionized the way we perceive love and relationships. The impact is palpable, widespread, and immense. It has flipped the script on how we initiate, cultivate, and even end relationships. In this brief but insightful response, I will attempt to objectively analyze the impact that social media has had on our romantic relationships.

Firstly, social media has made it easy to initiate relationships. Unlike before, where you had to walk up to someone and summon the courage to ask for their number, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and other social media platforms have made it relatively easy to connect with someone you are interested in. The added advantage is that you don't have to put up a facade, spend money on clothes or drinks trying to impress someone. Instead, you can study the person from a distance and make the necessary overtures at your own pace.

Also, social media has allowed us to relive the moments that we cherish and celebrate in our relationships. We can create albums, share posts, and show our appreciation for our significant other on public forums. Social media plays a critical role in our quest to communicate, connect, and show affection for our better halves, regardless of the distance or time zone.

On the flip side, social media has brought with it a particular form of pressure and scrutiny. Love is no longer private but public. Couples are constantly under the microscope, fearing that their relationship may not seem good enough or may not pass muster on the standards set by society. We are assaulted by images of the beautiful lives others are living and the relationships that they have. These things can trigger insecurities and lead us to conclude that our lives are not as good or fulfilling as the lives we see online.

Lastly, social media has made breaking up a tricky affair. Once you have made your relationship public, it can be difficult and embarrassing to end it on social media. The temptation is to keep on pretending that everything is okay even when things are not. This can lead both parties to stay in a relationship that long past its expiration date.

In conclusion, social media has had a profound impact on the way we perceive love and relationships. It has created an avenue to initiate relationships and celebrate cherished moments. At the same time, it has brought about added scrutiny, pressure, and made it more difficult to end relationships. We can leverage social media to connect, empathize, and build lasting relationships or watch it undermine what we have built over time. How we choose to use it is up to us.