Social media is ubiquitous in our modern lives. The role of social media has moved beyond just staying up to date with friends. Now, social media can be used to connect with strangers, promote your business, advertise and shop for commercial products, engage with communities of people, and more.
Social media can also have an impact on our romantic relationships and feelings of intimacy. But social media can be a double-edged sword. It can help us feel simultaneously more connected and less connected to the world and our relationships. So, are these impacts on intimacy good or bad?
This article takes a look at both the negative and positive impacts that social media is having on intimate relationships and feelings of intimacy.
What are the negative effects of social media on intimacy?
There are several negative effects that social media can have on intimacy.
Social media can lead to negative social comparison
We’ve all heard that we need to remember that what people share on social media is just their highlight reel — which is true! It is easy to see picture-perfect couples online and fall into the trap of comparison. You may wish for your relationship to measure up to couples you see online but find that your reality falls short. This can leave couples feeling disconnected and inadequate.
Social media can create jealousy between partners
Social media shows you when people follow, like, or comment on other people’s content. If you are insecure in your relationship, you may find yourself feeling jealous when you see your romantic partner interacting with other people’s social media accounts.
You may also find yourself constantly checking for social media updates from your partner and wondering what they are doing.
These feelings of jealousy can cause conflict in an intimate relationship that wouldn’t arise without social media.
Social media can detract from quality time together
Scrolling through social media can take up a lot of our time. It is common to get home from work or get into bed and scroll mindlessly through social media. This can cause a real disconnect between partners and cut down on quality time together. This can also reduce the likelihood of getting intimate in the bedroom.
What are the positive effects of social media on intimacy?
Luckily, it’s not all bad news for intimate relationships. The following are some of the positive effects social media can have on intimacy.
Social media helps us meet new people
Social media is a powerful tool to help us meet new potential partners. Today, a large percentage of people meet through dating apps and social media platforms every day. If you are not already in an intimate relationship and are looking to meet new people to date, social media is a beneficial tool for this.
Social media helps us stay connected
Whether you are in a long-distance relationship or are just missing your partner while you’re at work, social media is a powerful tool to help us stay connected with our loved ones. The ability to send a quick message, photo, or meme to your partner is a great way to feel an intimate connection, no matter where you are.
