Social media is such a huge part of our lives now. It’s a great tool that allows us to maintain connections and communicate with great ease. However, social media does have a harmful effect, particularly on our relationships. It can even do some serious damage to your marriage. How? Here are some ways social media ruins relationships, compiled from FamilyShare and Huffington Post.
1. Social media wastes time
We often turn to our newsfeeds to keep ourselves occupied when we’ve got nothing else to do. We don’t even think about it; our smartphones have become our go-to when we’ve got our hands free. Spending so much time on your phone might not seem like a huge deal, but when you and your partner are spending more time on your phones than you are interacting with each other, then that’s serious cause for concern.
Photo: Mirøslav Hristøff/Flickr
2. Social media can make you wish for a “better” life
Always keep this in mind: what you see on social media is never an accurate representation of your friends’ lives. We present our best selves on social media, so all you see are these idealized images of relationships that may make you feel insecure about your own relationship.
3. Social media can connect you with the wrong people
Most of us have dated other people before we ended up with our spouses, and social media makes it so much easier for us to reconnect with old flames. Catching up with an ex might seem harmless—after all, your intentions are pure, right? However, this can reawaken old feelings and end up with you in a questionable situation. Here’s a rule you should agree on: whenever you think about reconnecting with an ex, save you and your partner the drama and just don’t. Leave things in the past.
On the next page: read more about how social media can hurt your relationship.
4. Social media can make you overshare your relationship
Sharing things about your spouse every now and then is nice, but don’t overdo it. We don’t want to hear about you and your spouse’s latest argument. Though it may feel cathartic for you to rant and share your feelings to the world, once it’s out there, you can’t take it back. Once you’ve smoothed things out with your spouse, you’ll probably regret how your posts have changed people’s perceptions of him.
Photo: Pexels
5. Social media ruins communication skills
It’s a little ironic that social media, a communication tool, actually ruins the way we communicate with each other. If we turn to social media for comfort instead of our spouses, that’s a problem. If we’re constantly checking our phones whenever we’re together with our spouses, that’s a problem. Your spouse shouldn’t get updates on your life from a newsfeed.
6. Social media can ruin intimacy
A lot of us check our social media feeds before going to bed, and that can really damage your relationship, especially if your partner wants to talk to you or have a cuddle. It can also affect your sleep. If possible, keep screens away from the bedroom and stay away from social media at least an hour before bed.
READ: Avoid posting these 6 things on social media
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