Imagine what a world without the advanced technology of our generation would look like. No cellphones, no Caller ID, no Internet and — gasp — no social media. That’s hard to picture, right?
Fortunately for us, being connected with the rest of the world will never be an issue, thanks to awesome inventions such as the Internet and smartphones. Now breaking news in China can reach the U.S. at the drop of a dime via satellite or Internet sites. We can reconnect with old friends and make new ones on social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
But at what point do you become too plugged in? And what effect can it have on relationships?
What you see on the Internet can be very misleading. It’s a great tool for knowledge and staying connected, but it’s also becoming a resource where you can make cruel, disgusting, inaccurate or vague comments and hide behind them. With the rapid growth of Facebook and Twitter, much of our time goes toward keeping in touch with friends, keeping up with gossip and staying updated on breaking news.
If you have a significant other, this kind of knowledge can really put a strain on your relationship. Many of us are guilty of “cyberstalking” our partners and analyzing every picture, comment, status or newly added friend on their profiles. This is a terrible habit that, if not stopped, can destroy relationships.
Reading too much into posts on social media can make your imagination run wild, and where your imagination takes you is probably way off-base. So, before picking a fight with your boyfriend or girlfriend, remember that looks can be deceiving. To keep your sanity and your cool, stay off their profile unless you have something to say.
A blog post from Lovelyish highlighted some other big no-nos with social media and relationships. One thing couples need to remember is the importance of keeping relationship matters private. No one wants to see a dirty fight blow up their newsfeed on Facebook, and that isn’t something you would want employers to see down the road, either.
Another huge deal since the birth of Facebook is the relationship status. Everyone knows you’re not in a relationship until it’s “Facebook official,” right? Wrong! This is just another source for a stupid argument. If you or your partner decide to hide the status instead, discuss the terms of your relationship and leave it at that.
Social media and the Internet can be both a blessing and a curse, but it’s really up to you and how you use it. If you choose to keep your relationship off of the Internet and avoid stalking your partner, you will be much better off. Happy tweeting!
Posts in Gator Mate appear on Thursdays. Follow @TheGatorMate on Twitter.
