How can social media affect a marriage?

How do you think social media can make or break your marriage or any relationship, be it platonic or romantic? If you are like most people, you probably use social media every day. You check your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok to see what your friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers are up to. Indeed, you share your thoughts, feelings, opinions, and experiences. You also like, comment, follow, and unfollow. But have you ever wondered how social media affects your marriage? Is it helping or hurting your relationship? Today, we will explore social media’s sound and ugly sides in marriages and offer tips on using it smartly.

The Ugly Sides of Social Media on Marriages

Let us face the reality that social media can cause problems in your marriage if you are not careful. Some of the common issues are as follows;

• Too much screen time. Firstly, social media can take away the precious time and attention you should give to your spouse. According to a 2018 research paper, more social media use can mean less quality time with your loved ones.
• Suspicious behavior and jealousy. Secondly, it can make you feel insecure and unreasonable about your spouse’s activity and interactions. According to a 2018 study, social media can fuel jealousy by showing you more information about your partner’s potential rivals and comparing yourself to them.
• An avenue for infidelity. Thirdly, social media can also tempt you or your partner to cheat on each other, leading to betrayal and divorce. According to a 2014 study, more Facebook use was linked to higher divorce rates.

Thus, these problems can ruin the trust, intimacy, and satisfaction essential for a healthy marriage.

The Good Side of Social Media on Marriages

However, social media is not all bad for your marriage. It can also have some positive effects if you use it wisely. Some of the benefits that we can reap are the following;

• Staying connected. Social media can help you keep in touch with your spouse when you are apart, such as when one of you travels for work or lives in a different city. According to an article by Alexandra Samuel, Ph.D, social media can help us connect when we cannot meet.
• Integrating social networks. Moreover, social media can help you connect with your spouse’s friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances. Also, it can make you feel more welcome and supported by both sides of the relationship. According to Gwendolyn Seidman, Ph.D, article, social media can assist associations by making it easier for partners to integrate their once-disconnected social networks.
• Sharing interests and hobbies. Additionally, social media can help you discover and pursue common interests and hobbies that can enrich your relationship. For example, you can enter online groups or communities that cater to your passions, such as language, music, sports, art, or travel. You can also share your achievements and experiences with your online friends.

Hence, these benefits can enhance communication, compatibility, and happiness for a successful marriage.

How to Use Social Media Smartly in Your Marriage

Indeed, social media is not inherently good or bad for your marriage. It depends on how you use and balance it with your offline life. Below are some tips on how to use social media smartly in your relationship.

• Set boundaries. First, talk to your partner about how much time you want to spend on social media and when you want to be offline. Importantly, agree on rules that respect each other’s privacy and preferences. For example, you can decide not to check your phones during meals or bedtime or not to post anything without your partner’s consent.
• Be transparent. Next, be honest with your partner about what you do on social media and who you interact with. Of course, don’t hide or delete anything that might raise suspicion or doubt. If your partner asks about something you posted or liked, explain it calmly and respectfully.
• Be supportive. Then, use social media to show your partner that you care about them and are proud of them. For example, you can send them a sweet message, comment on their posts, or share their achievements with your online friends. Never use social media to criticize or embarrass your partner in public.
• Be realistic. Finally, don’t compare your marriage with other people’s marriages based on what you see on social media. Remember that most people only share their best moments online, not their struggles or challenges. Importantly, focus on your relationship and what makes it unique and special.

Conclusion

In short, social media is a double-edged sword for marriages. It can have negative and positive effects depending on how you use it. The key is to use it smartly and moderately and not let it interfere with your offline relationship. By setting transparent, supportive, and realistic boundaries, you can make social media work for your marriage and not against it.

We hope this article was helpful to you. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading, and see you at the next one!

Additional References:

Seidman, G. 2018, February 14. How social media helps romantic relationships thrive. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/close-encounters/201802/how-social-media-helps-romantic-relationships-thrive

Al-Saggaf, Y., & O’Donnell, M. 2018. Social media use and the quality of interpersonal relationships: A study of Australian couples. Journal of Information, Communication, and Ethics in Society, 16 (3), 306-323. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-03-2018-0020

Samuel, A. 2017, February 14. How to use social media to strengthen your relationship. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-use-social-media-to-strengthen-your-relationship-1487099400

Sbarra, D. A., Briskin, J. L., & Slatcher, R. B. 2014. Using social media data to understand divorce: Facebook use predicts divorce rates in 43 US states. Computers in Human Behavior, 36, 310-316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.03.050