How social media is affecting your relationships
We live in a world where everything is instantly available to us at our fingertips. Whether you want to read about an event that took place a hundred years ago or simply craving a midnight snack, the solution is just a click away. As the concept of waiting vanishes from our system, the demand for instant gratification has become inevitable. However, if the desire for instant gratification creeps into one’s dating life, there is bound to be trouble in paradise.
Speaking on the matter, counselling psychologist Urmika Sahai, says, “We are living in the era of social media and most of our needs are influenced by social media; patience and understanding have come down to nil. People see things on social media and think, ‘I want this, and I want this now!’ There’s this concept of speed dating where one can just move on to the next best thing if faced with any slightest problem. ‘I don’t deserve this’ has become a mantra in a relationship nowadays.”
Social media also creates unrealistic expectations, feels Sahai. She adds, “All these couple goals that people see on various social media platforms, affect their expectations in real life. They wonder why their partners do not click picture-perfect photos of them too. People need to understand that it’s just content creation. Glorifying their personal life is their job.” Sahai adds.
Agreeing to this, psychologist Priyanka Varma says, “Technology nowadays has considerably reduced our attention spans. One minute you are engaged in a conversation with someone, the next you are checking your Twitter feed. It is affecting one’s commitment to their relationships, meaning even if people are with their partners, they are mentally somewhere else. It breaks the flow of a relationship and either partner is bound to fall out of it in such a situation.”
Dating applications have proved to be a pool of unlimited options. You can choose, talk and move on instantly nowadays. “There has been a pandemic induced spike on dating applications of late, in hopes of having somebody to talk to. If people are not getting that gratification in the first three to five minutes, they are moving on. Meaningful conversations are not happening.” These experts believe that a lifestyle change is required to move away from this need for instant gratification. People need to learn to be able to commit to things, give people time to unravel themselves. Patience and communication are the keys.
I don’t deserve this – has become a mantra in most relationships nowadays. URMIKA SAHAI, Counselling psychologist
There has been a pandemic induced spike on dating applications of late. PRIYANKA VARMA, Psychologist