The life people are living in this world is massively being influenced by technology. Many advantages have been discovered in the use of technology but also countless damages are caused especially in today’s relationships.
Human social interaction was the first to be affected by the use of information technology nowadays. Digital communications help a lot in linking people but also destroy a lot of people’s social attachments.
This story will show you the most dangerous effects that your IT gadgets might have on your relationship.
1. Time spent on social networks than in conversations with your partner
Various conducted pieces of research have revealed that most people spend more than 2 hours per day on different social networks chatting, messaging and also watching posted photos and videos.
Most social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, Pinterest, and Reddit are designed in a way that their algorithms feed the user with continuous images and videos that are played automatically. This develops the independency vis a vis those sites and the users become addicted to them to the extent that they can’t even remember if there is someone around them.
Today, phones and other IT tools became the tools of entertainment for the people. Social interaction in a relationship has become a nightmare for many engaged people. Many couples that used to have a caring love have been transformed to the extent that lovers cannot speak to each other and interact for a long time while sitting together.
It is strange to see someone checking on SMS and social media notifications on the phone, while sitting, together with his/her partner, at a table taking dinner or a drink. It is too shameful when this happens during an already planned activity like a dating or a serious couple conversation outside the home.
2. A strong relationship requires physical attentiveness
Face-to-face communication was proven to be more efficient than any other type of communication method. Despite advancements in information technology messaging and chatting platforms, there is still a need for physical attention especially when there is a need to make a relationship stronger.
In a face-to-face conversation, one can observe the physical expression and the tone of voice that his/her partner uses. The body language and all the expressions used while interacting physically, leave memories in the hearts of partners. Thus this cements the relationship and makes it stronger than before.
On the other hand, digital communication can use emoji’s, voice notes, as well as calls but can be disrupted by either other notifications or other people around you. The real meaning of conversation cannot be expressed fully in such digital interaction methods.
In a face-to-face conversation, it is easier to debate a serious issue in your relationship using fitting communications skills. Although, with the use of digital means, the conversation may reach a heated point where both of you fail to control yourself and hang up the call or stop the chat.
3. Digital communications send unclear messages
Not everyone is skilled in the best way of communicating digitally. Your partner may send emails, text messages or other chats that you cannot easily interpret its meaning. When partners are engaged in simultaneous conversation via chats, it may raise misunderstanding or misinterpretation especially when one reacts to a wrong chat. You make a reaction to a chat and after you realize that it the response would have been sent to another chat. This may cause frustration to your partner.
4. Unclear margins with chats, text messages, emails
Various partners don’t set boundaries related to their use of digital communications. The more you chat with another person, the more you get into different subjects and possibly some of those subjects can lead to emotional and physical affairs.
Partners have to set the boundaries in regards to who to chat with, what subjects to chat with, and when those interactions could last. They need to have discussions on what is ok and what is not ok about chatting. Otherwise, one may think that if this is not prohibited, it is acceptable and once your partner sees strange messages on your chat page, it may lead to troubles in your relationship.
Everyone has a big number of potential friends close to him through the phone. To avoid developing the remote infidelity that is caused by interactions via chats and messaging, the couple needs to discuss the boundaries that make all of them comfortable.
5. Using social media to share privacy
Couples are advised not to share information related to their relationship disagreements. In regards to social bonds, social media platforms should be left for fun and entertainment rather than serious relationship issues like breakups and other differences.
Imagine publishing your disagreements or breakup on Facebook, and after a while, your issues get fixed and you reunite with your partner. You both will have remorse about how you are perceived by the public after your social media declarations.
Something that we publish online remains online forever even if you delete them. Thus, the post you have made can embarrass or cause anger forever. It can also stop the chances of reunion if it was possible in the future.
Conclusion
Important subjects like intimacy, touching needs, investments, unhappiness, and future projects are better-discussed face to face than through chats. The couple should do their best to increase their face-to-face interactions, because the more they develop their interactions via digital communication, the more you lessen the chances of having a healthy relationship.