For many of us, our phones are the first thing we pick up in the morning and the last thing we put down at night. In those moments, and countless others throughout the day, we share almost every aspect of our lives on social media. Naturally, this often includes sharing details about our relationships with those who take the time to follow our lives.
Social media has become the go-to platform for keeping loved ones (and even casual spectators) informed. Increasingly, this includes sharing our romantic relationships. Posting a lighthearted video or a sweet picture might seem harmless, but without realising it, we open our relationships to scrutiny and judgment from anyone with access to our profiles and an opinion.
I have seen many “social media couples” break up and feel obligated to explain their split to their followers.
This is both sad and incredibly intrusive. But then, you remember that they voluntarily shared their relationship with the world; stories, experiences, and all. Their followers became invested in the details of their lives, to the point where a partner’s sudden absence from photos feels like a mystery that needs solving.
While sharing aspects of our lives can make us relatable and connected, it is important to pause before posting that picture or video and consider what we might be exposing our relationships to.
Not everyone who follows you wishes you well. Some people might begrudge your happiness and wait for moments of difficulty to criticize or ridicule you. It’s unfortunate, but this is the reality of the digital age.
Social media has revolutionized how romantic relationships begin and develop, but it can also be a source of significant strain.
Jealousy often finds fertile ground online as we scrutinise our partner’s activities; liked photos, comments, and interactions, that we might otherwise overlook. It is not uncommon to hear people say they want a partner who is not on social media at all. Yet, here we are.
Moreover, the way we interact online can negatively influence how we connect with our partners in real life. Social media can create distorted expectations of what relationships should look like, leading us to chase an idealized version of romance that does not match reality.
This can set us on a slippery slope, where the way we project our relationships online starts to erode their authenticity offline.
I am not here to tell you to censor your online presence or hide parts of your life, because beautiful moments are meant to be shared. However, the world we live in teaches us to be cautious and more guarded.
Celebrate your relationships and share what makes you happy, but do not overexpose yourself. Strike a balance between openness and privacy to protect the things you hold dear.
