Social Media and the Family

Social Media and the Family

In the last decade, social media has evolved rapidly, as has the different aspects of communication. Most people worldwide own a smartphone and have access to social media daily, creating a digital attachment. Data shows that 90% of adults own a smartphone, averaging about 43% of the world population (Perrin, 2015). Some of the most popular social networking platforms are Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, with Facebook averaging at least 900 million active users per day. With the prevalence of social media in our everyday lives, individuals are more interconnected than ever. However, studies have shown that social media affects the quality of interpersonal relationships both positively and negatively. Our assignment writing help is at affordable prices to students of all academic levels and academic disciplines.

With so many users, it is evident that social media offers a range of benefits to people, including couples. One benefit is easy connectivity to our partners. Through social media, one can easily stay in contact, and in a long-distance relationship, couples can constantly communicate. Social media has likewise enabled people to meet and fall in love (Cole et al., 2018). A study done in 2017 found that 39% of heterosexual couples met online; this showed that social media is dislodging roles initially played by friends or parents, like bringing couples together.

Some of the adverse effects of social media include creating unrealistic expectations for what a relationship should be. Most posts on social media are filtered and curated, for example, vacation photos, designer clothes, and expensive houses and cars, all setting unrealistic goals for most couples; however, only a few people realize this can lead to disappointment. Additionally, these filters also lead to body image issues that affect a person’s sex life, especially women (Souza et al., 2017). A study done in 2013 showed that excessive use of social media has been linked to increased fights among couples.

Social media is, as yet, a relatively new technology that is still developing every day, and no research shows the consequences of its long-term use. Nonetheless, looking at the benefits of social media, I would say that relationships primarily benefit from it. With social media, things that couldn’t be done two decades ago are now possible, like forming connections with people worldwide from your phone (Yarahmadi et al., 2019). Secondly, using online profiles and getting to know each other is more leisurely; people can meet up with people who partake in the same things as they do, making socializing easier.

However, social media has been shown to have the same effect on the brain as drugs. Studies show that the impact that social media makes on the brain causes it to be both psychologically and physically addictive. Furthermore, it’s strongly linked to depression, loneliness, body issues, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety (Naslund et al., 2020). All these things will take a toll on a relationship and, in all likelihood, end it; hence, even though social media is a good thing, it is best used in moderation.

Weighing the advantages and disadvantages of social media in relationships, more people benefit from it than those negatively affected by it. However, there is no telling if the number of those affected negatively will increase over time and surpass those that benefit from it. To help prevent these numbers from rising and learn how to use social media appropriately, media literacy is recommended (Yarahmadi et al., 2019). For now, though, I would say that social media has a positive impact on relationships.

In the last decade, social media has evolved rapidly, as has the different aspects of communication. Most people worldwide own a smartphone and have access to social media daily, creating a digital attachment. Data shows that 90% of adults own a smartphone, averaging about 43% of the world population (Perrin, 2015). Some of the most popular social networking platforms are Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, with Facebook averaging at least 900 million active users per day. With the prevalence of social media in our everyday lives, individuals are more interconnected than ever. However, studies have shown that social media affects the quality of interpersonal relationships both positively and negatively.

With so many users, it is evident that social media offers a range of benefits to people, including couples. One benefit is easy connectivity to our partners. Through social media, one can easily stay in contact, and in a long-distance relationship, couples can constantly communicate. Social media has likewise enabled people to meet and fall in love (Cole et al., 2018). A study done in 2017 found that 39% of heterosexual couples met online; this showed that social media is dislodging roles initially played by friends or parents, like bringing couples together.

Some of the adverse effects of social media include creating unrealistic expectations for what a relationship should be. Most posts on social media are filtered and curated, for example, vacation photos, designer clothes, and expensive houses and cars, all setting unrealistic goals for most couples; however, only a few people realize this can lead to disappointment. Additionally, these filters also lead to body image issues that affect a person’s sex life, especially women (Souza et al., 2017). A study done in 2013 showed that excessive use of social media has been linked to increased fights among couples.

Social media is, as yet, a relatively new technology that is still developing every day, and no research shows the consequences of its long-term use. Nonetheless, looking at the benefits of social media, I would say that relationships primarily benefit from it. With social media, things that couldn’t be done two decades ago are now possible, like forming connections with people worldwide from your phone (Yarahmadi et al., 2019). Secondly, using online profiles and getting to know each other is more leisurely; people can meet up with people who partake in the same things as they do, making socializing easier.

However, social media has been shown to have the same effect on the brain as drugs. Studies show that the impact that social media makes on the brain causes it to be both psychologically and physically addictive. Furthermore, it’s strongly linked to depression, loneliness, body issues, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety (Naslund et al., 2020). All these things will take a toll on a relationship and, in all likelihood, end it; hence, even though social media is a good thing, it is best used in moderation.

Weighing the advantages and disadvantages of social media in relationships, more people benefit from it than those negatively affected by it. However, there is no telling if the number of those affected negatively will increase over time and surpass those that benefit from it. To help prevent these numbers from rising and learn how to use social media appropriately, media literacy is recommended (Yarahmadi et al., 2019). For now, though, I would say that social media has a positive impact on relationships.

References

Cole, A., Leonard, M. T., & McAuslan, P. (2018). Social Media and Couples: What Are the Important Factors for Understanding Relationship Satisfaction? Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 21(9), 582-586.

Naslund, J. A., Bondre, A., Torous, J., & Aschbrenner, K. A. (2020). Social media and mental health: benefits, risks, and opportunities for research and practice. Journal of technology in behavior science, 5(3), 245-257.

PERRIN, A. (2015). Social Media Usage: 2005-2015. Retrieved 10 October 2021, from https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2015/10/08/social-networking-usage-2005-2015/

Souza, S., & Myers, B. (2017). Impact of social media usage on couples’ perceived relationship satisfaction and intimacy.

Yarahmadi, S., Zarei, F., & Jafari, F. (2019). Consequences of Online Social Networks on the Life of Couples: A Qualitative Study Social Online Network Consequences.

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In our culture, there is an increased use of social media. Social media has changed the way people and families interact with each other. Many theorists believe social media has the advantage of connecting people, while other theorists believe social media negatively affects relationships for many reasons. Social workers need to be aware of the couples’ use of social media and explore the effects on the relationship.

Social Media and the Family

For this Assignment, search the Walden Library for two articles – one supporting the positive effects social media has on couples and one suggesting the adverse effects social media has on relationships.

The Assignment (2–3 pages)

Summarize each article in 100 words or less.
Provide a critical analysis of each side of the social media debate.
Explain your side and support your professional opinion on social media and couple relationships with scholarly references and additional resources.
Use evidence-based research to support your findings.