In a Digital World

Image:  Kris  Olin  via  Flickr  

By:  Maria  Alauddin  

In a remarkably short period of time, internet and mobile technology have become a part of everyday life all around the world. - Pew Global

Image:  J  L  via  Flickr  

Digital technology usage has skyrocketed in the past decade

Image:  mkhmarke<ng  via  Flickr  

With more than 2 BILLION internet users around the world…

Sta<s<c  from:  The  Culturist  mage:  RachelSarai  via  Flickr  

…and 73% of online adults use social networking sites

Sta<s<c:  Pew  Research  Internet  Project  Image:  mkhmarke<ng  via  Flickr  

It is easy to see that social media and technology is a big part of our daily lives.

Human  beings  are  constantly  digitally  interac<ng  with  one  another.    

Image:  Gary  Knight  via  Flickr  

However, is digital

interaction

helpful or a

hindrance

when it comes to romantic

relationship?

Image:  Delacour  via  WikiCommons  

“Digital interactions can help us feel physically close, even if they happen through a screen”

- Jenna Worthman. The New York Times

Image:  Syl  via  Flickr  

The digital world has created new expectations and implications

for people in relationships.

Image:  Syl  via  Flickr  

Couples are expected to become “Facebook official” and announce their relationship on social media

Image:  Kris  Krug  via  Flickr  

Instagram collages on birthdays, liking their Facebook pictures, sending flirty texts and

responding to Tweets have all become attributes of the

“perfect” boyfriend or girlfriend.

Image:  Kris  Krug  via  Flickr  

Those that displayed their significant other in their profile picture and were listed as “in a relationship” were more likely to stay together and less likely to have cheated - Allison McCann. Buzzfeed

Image:  Syl  via  Flickr  

People feel more pressure from their friends and family to stay together when they have their partner in profile pictures and relationship status”

Image:  Skedonk  via  Flickr  

Too much focus on our digital devices draws us away from our real social interactions

Image:  Harris  Hui  via  Flickr  

The more active an individual was on Twitter, the more likely they were to report "Twitter-related" conflict with partners

- James Vincent. “The Twitter Effect”

Image:  mkhmarke<ng  via  Flickr  

..  a  

Break-ups are therefore made more difficult because of technology.

Image:  Oriol  Salvador  via  Flickr  

The digital footprint of your romantic relationships follows you into the future…

Image  Les  Hainesvia  Flickr  

... and previous partners can contact you through various digital platforms

Image:  Diangel234  via  Tumblr  

Even though technology brings us together, it also threatens to push us apart. - Alex Lickerman. Pscyhology Today

Image:    

Sources - http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201006/the-effect-technology-relationships -http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/the-twitter-effect-why-using-social-media-too-much-can-lead-to-divorce-9300404.html http://www.buzzfeed.com/atmccann/how-facebook-ruined-dating-and-breaking-up-too