P H O T O BY M O N I C A ( O N F L I C K R )

COUPLES, THE INTERNET, AND TECHNOLOGY

By Sarah Tucker

With the abundance of emerging technologies in society, one would assume that these advancements would be used to strengthen and broaden our interpersonal relationships.

Joe Stump on flickr

“However, some technological advances cause people to be distracted, overly stressed, and increasingly isolated.”

Meletver on flickr

“A study of students and information technology found that 85 percent of undergraduates surveyed used social networking sites (Salaway et al., 2008). Many of the respondents reported using such sites daily.”

Photosteve101 on flickr

“Much has been written about the dangers of Internet addiction. Like any addiction, the real cost, for those of us who are truly addicted, is to the number and quality of our relationships with others.” Photo by edzl d (flickr)

“We may enjoy online relationships using social media sites like Facebook or Twitter, but the difference between these kinds of interactions and interactions with people in the physical world is clearly vast. ”

Jonathan Longstaff on flickr

“The problem, however, comes when we find ourselves subtly substituting electronic relationships for physical ones or mistaking our electronic relationships for physical ones. ”

Ray Daly on Flickr

“We find ourselves tempted to communicate online because it feels easier—but the outcome is often worse.”

Dave Rutt on Flickr

“For transferring information efficiently, the Internet is excellent. For transacting emotionally sensitive or satisfying connections, it's not. ”

Marcelo Graciolli on flickr

“People clearly have a penchant for saying things in the electronic world they'd never say to people in person because the person to whom they're saying it isn't physically present to display their emotional reaction.”

Heidi on flickr

“It's as if the part of our nervous system that registers the feelings of others has been paralyzed or removed when we're communicating electronically, as if we're drunk and don't realize or don't care that our words are hurting others.”

Sofia on flickr

“Although divorce and loss of employment are serious issues [that can stem from online interactions], perhaps they are not as common as other problems that have the potential to stem from social networking sites.”

Silvia Lonardo on flickr

“These Web sites have been found to be an avenue for people to display their narcissistic traits online (Buffardi & Campbell, 2008). I often wonder whether people use these sites to display their popularity to the world rather than use them as a vehicle to develop meaningful relationships.”

Gabo Barreto on flickr

“45% of internet users ages 18-29 in serious relationships say the internet has had an impact on their relationship, while just one in ten online adults 65 and older say the same.”

It’s not just the internet or social media that has an effect on relationships (romantic or not). It’s other pieces of technology too.

Lea on Flickr

“42% of cell-owning 18-29 year olds in serious relationships say their partner has been distracted by their mobile phone while they were together ”

Mlke Kline on flickr

“According to one recent study, which found the mere presence of cellphones in face-to-face conversations inhibits the development of closeness and trust, and reduces the amount of empathy we feel from our partners.”

Max Heidenfelder on flickr

It is clear that technology has an impact on our interpersonal relationships. While it can be extremely useful for the lightning fast communication it offers, it is important to realize that it should not replace the importance of in-person interaction.

Laura Wernet on flickr

PHOTO CREDITS

Images are licensed under Creative Commons Non-Commercial Share-Alike 3.0 agreement, and sourced from Flickr.

Anna Pogioli on flickr

SOURCES

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201006/the-effect-technology-relationships

http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/technology-can-have-positive-and-negative-impact-on-social-interactions

http://www.wbur.org/2013/01/17/digital-lives-i

Joe Lares on flickr