Dating and Social Media

I recently had the discussion at work with my colleagues about this growing predicament. Does social media ruin relationships? 

My co-worker currently in a relationship believes that limited social media strengthens her bond with her significant other. She has two accounts and her boyfriend does not connect to anything. In this, she feels as if she doesn’t need to worry about him sneaking around behind her back. She barely posts herself, so he also has nothing to worry about.

My other male co-worker was in the same situation where he had the accounts and his beau had access. Looking back on his ex and her actions, he added that if cheating is to occur it necessarily doesn’t have to be social media related. She cheated on him while interacting with others at work. 

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Being in a relationship myself where my Instagram and Facebook activities were frowned upon, I can tell you it’s a slippery slope. My ex believed that connecting to these services were a direct link to all who may have been interested in disrupting our monogamy. I always thought he was a bit dramatic. I mean really, who is scrolling through their feed trolling for the newly single… or relationships on the verge of a break?

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I enjoyed claiming him publicly on my accounts. Tagging places we went so we are able to recommend to others. Or visit those places again on anniversaries. And yes, I’ll admit I also posted to stunt on the ex’s. Like.. “Yea you dumped me, I leveled up suckaa!” Social media is a selfish thing we must all admit it. 

I really believe that it all depends on the couple. If trust is the foundation from the beginning then no form of interference should break that connection. On the flip side, (in this age group) I feel like privacy is essential. My girlfriends and I joke that after our weddings we’ll finally post the face of the man we’ve been dating. Because really, who’s business is it that we’re happy besides our own?

More importantly, having to remove all the happy, kissing, lovey dovey pictures if there is a fall is the absolute worst. Better to not post. Shredding the physical pictures is more cathartic anyway.

Jo Olivier 

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xo,